Never mind Ashley Cole to LA Galaxy…

The real huge story of the day Stateside is that 2015 Latino del Año champ Darwin Cerén has penned a four-year contract extension with Orlando City SC.

The heartbeat of the Lions’ midfield, the 26-year-old El Salvador international made 25 MLS starts for Adrian Heath’s team last season and having been voted Orlando City SC’s MVP to boot, his salary will now be significantly raised.

Earning a total of $66,000 for the 2015 campaign, Cerén will now better that return and with the 2014-signed star having boasted the tenth highest pass completion rate in MLS last season, it was imperative to keep him in Central Florida.

A long time Lion having initially signed with the club in its USL form back in February 2014, Cerén is a crowd favourite at the Citrus Bowl and it appears all City fans are absolutely delighted with the news judging from Twitter…

Awesome! I can’t wait for the new OCSC jersey design to go on sale. I need a Darwin Ceren jersey. https://t.co/tttnsRKAde

— Tim Fontenault (@Tim_Fontenault) January 27, 2016

Well deserved! https://t.co/7jFB7cl1ey

— SpaceCoastAlliance (@4SCAlliance) January 27, 2016

Now Ceren can afford to alter his award winning best in MLS hair weekly… #WellEarned pic.twitter.com/5ttnRO8mJz

— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) January 27, 2016

While Cerén’s selection is a no-brainer in Heath’s strongest starting eleven, when it comes to his long-term defensive midfield partner, things appear less straightforward.

The Lions are still trailing AC Milan’s Antonio Nocerino closely according to Italian publication Milan Live who yesterday reported that Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani has even confirmed the Stateside interest in the 30-year-old enforcer.

While Cristian Higuita enjoyed a promising first full season in MLS, the arrival of an experienced campaigner such as Nocerino may cast some doubt on his automatic selection in the team.

What’s more, the proposed deal for Nocerino could still take place after the European January transfer window slams shut with the period for signing players in MLS lasting from February 18th to May 12th.