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There’s a brand new transfer rumour in the world of Orlando City SC and it concerns former Sevilla and Real Madrid striker Julio Baptista who is allegedly close to joining the Lions.
But let’s just wait and see?
According to a report from Brazilian publication Globo Esporte, the 34-year-old is a free agent after being released from his contract with Cruzeiro in December and earlier this March, the forward actually trained with Orlando City SC as a guest ahead of further regaining his fitness in Spain.
Already boasting Kaká and Pedro Ribeiro of course, Julio Baptista – popularly nicknamed ‘The Beast’ – would become the Lions’ third Brazilian in the squad.
With a lot of weight on Cyle Larin‘s shoulders to score goals, of which he has bagged three already this term, adding another experienced forward such as the former Arsenal loanee makes sense from a depth point of view.
Feast on a collection of Julio Baptista’s best ever strikes in a long and fruitful career (Credit: Real Mödric)
Outside Larin, Adrian Heath’s out-and-out striking options aren’t so plentiful with Carlos Rivas more of a winger, Ribeiro having been re-converted to an attack-minded midfielder of late and Hadji Barry still learning his trade at MLS level.
What’s more, fellow striker Bryan Róchez is set to make his comeback in being registered with Anthony Pulis’ Orlando City B alongside Honduran compatriot Devron García in order to reduce the number of City’s existing international player slots from 12 to 10.
Of course, Adrian Heath’s men would then have to still move on another of their internationals to make room for Julio Baptista.
Indeed, Aurélien Collin and David Mateos have already been mentioned as players who could possibly make way with the pair still yet to make an appearance in Major League Soccer so far this term, either through selection or injury.
The Baptista rumours are hot on the Orlando City SC Twitter grapevine right now so here’s what the Lion Nation are making of it all…
I should really learn Portuguese…. Can’t read any of these Baptista tweets.
— Shenanigans (@Rays1299) March 22, 2016
I still prefer Herculez Gomez. But Baptista fits a need at what is likely the right price. Advanced age but fills a need nicely
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) March 22, 2016
@codydschultz If the Baptista is as far along as everyone says, wouldn’t surprise me if a deal for Collin is finalized also…
— daguru (@daguru9) March 22, 2016