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Yesterday was an incredibly busy day in the world of Orlando City SC with the Alex Morgan loan to Lyon announcement, turf at Orlando City Stadium and two particular transfer rumours leaving us all eager to find out more!
But for Jason Kreis‘ side, the biggest news of the day surrounded the Lions’ reported interest in Bordeaux defender Grégory Sertic.
The Orlando Sentinel tantalisingly left Orlando City SC fans hanging when claiming the Lions were on the verge of signing a starting European defender in a report dated December 16th.
Orlando City close to signing elite European centerback https://t.co/uAbTbhl5s9 pic.twitter.com/l1u9LaokCJ
— Alicia Rose DelGallo (@OSAliciaD) December 16, 2016
Following four days of City fans fantasising about the likes of Pepe or Ezequiel Garay (we wish!), the Sentinel’s Alicia DelGallo yesterday revealed the identity of that starting defender – 27-year-old French centre back / defensive midfielder Grégory Sertic.
Orlando City finalizing deal to sign French defender Grégory Sertic https://t.co/oSFaJ20Md2 pic.twitter.com/c8ziWsWQ4s
— Alicia Rose DelGallo (@OSAliciaD) December 20, 2016
Queue feelings of excitement given that after all, centre back was a key position of weakness for Orlando City SC who conceded the most amount of goals (60) in all of Major League Soccer last season.
Having made 120 Ligue 1 appearances for Bordeaux since debuting back in 2009, Grégory Sertic is certainly a high calibre player who at least for the past 24 hours, has captured the imagination in Orlando.
But then came the confusion.
With the Orlando Sentinel’s report released at 13:40 (UK time) yesterday, the player himself actually distanced himself from the rumour altogether when tweeting he knew nothing of the Lions’ interest at 19:06.
Je ne suis pas au courant de cet intérêt venant de la MLS et du club d’Orlando. Bonne soiree à tous.
— gregory sertic (@GSertic27) December 20, 2016
Naturally confusing the Orlando City SC fanbase, ardent OCSC tweeters were quick to inform us that Sertic had actually been on a Lions following spree that afternoon, adding the likes of Cyle Larin and Kevin Molino as well as Orlando Pride.
With these accounts swiftly unfollowed by Sertic amidst his tweet that refuted Orlando City SC‘s interest, it’s worth noting that both Phil Rawlins and Kaká remain.
While this all seems rather petty, there does seem to be some form of interest between both Orlando City SC and Grégory Sertic despite the player distancing himself.
After all, in today’s day and age, why else would you start following our favourite City personalities from across the pond?
With this article written as our friends in the U.S. wake on on Wednesday morning, Orlando City UK are watching this space for any possible developments.
And if all that wasn’t enough, former Sentinel reporter Paul Tenorio yesterday revealed that Canadian international midfielder Will Johnson has visited Orlando in recent days after completing 2016 with Toronto FC.
Free agent midfielder Will Johnson has been in Orlando the last couple days visiting #OCSC. No deal done yet, per sources.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) December 20, 2016
Another player with undoubted pedigree, these appear to be exciting times for Orlando City SC as Jason Kreis looks to boost his roster ahead of 2017.
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