Orlando City SC’s summer recruitment drive currently stands at five new arrivals for Adrian Heath’s team after Richie Laryea and Hadji Barry were selected in the First Round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Laryea and Barry were the Lions’ seventh and thirteenth picks respectively with the former player belonging to Generation Adidas having developed at the University of Akron.
Whereas in the latter, Barry arrives with Orlando City SC having been a member of Orlando City U23 while studying at the University of Central Florida.
>> MLS SUPERDRAFT RULES EXPLAINED HERE <<
His signature has been sealed following the decision to trade DC United the Lions’ 12th pick in the Second Round, not to mention Targeted Allocation Money.
>> CLICK HERE FOR RICHIE LARYEA’S PROFILE <<
It was very much a case of job done for the Orlando City SC hierarchy who were travelling to Baltimore extremely hopeful of landing two of their main targets in the First Round and so it proved.
>> CLICK HERE FOR HADJI BARRY’S PROFILE <<
So who exactly are Richie Laryea and Hadji Barry?
Richie Laryea
- A 21-year-old attacking midfielder by trade
- A Canadian national born in Toronto to Ghanaian parents
- Played professional football in Ghana before going semi-pro in Canada
- His football idol is new New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira
- He was an ex-team-mate of Cyle Larin at Sigma FC
Hadji Barry
- A 23-year-old centre forward by trade
- A Guinea national but born in Rochester, New York
- Won Region II Player of the Year and Championship MVP at Monroe Community College
- An Orlando City U23 member prior to 2016 MLS SuperDraft
Speaking about the duo’s arrival into the Lions’ squad, coach Adrian Heath noted: “Both players have a lot of the tools that we look for in their respective positions, so we look forward to working with them and helping them maximize their potential.
Orlando City UK wishes both Laryea and Barry the very best of luck as they embark on their new professional careers at the Citrus Bowl.
However, it must be acknowledged that they have a tough act to follow given how well Cyle Larin and Conor Donovan have adjusted to their professional careers since their selections in last year’s MLS SuperDraft, particularly our incredible number 21!
So with 60 days left to go until the Lions’ Major League Soccer opener against Real Salt Lake on Sunday March 6th, the number of new signings currently stands at five with Laryea and Barry’s arrivals following the captures of Mason Stajduhar, Kevin Alston and Joe Bendik.