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After Orlando City SC‘s reported pursuit of Bordeaux’s Grégory Sertic seemed to go cold on Tuesday, there has been more positive updates regarding Will Johnson.

The Orlando Sentinel reported yesterday that Orlando City SC have now agreed a deal in principle for the 29-year-old Canadian international midfielder.

Cue mass excitement amongst Lions supporters given the fact Johnson is a vastly experienced player in Major League Soccer having represented Chicago Fire, Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers and most recently Toronto FC in 2016.

Having also earned 41 caps for the Canadian national side as well as spending two years in the Netherlands with Heerenveen between 2006 and 2008, Johnson looks like an exciting cog in Jason Kreis‘ plans heading into 2017.

In order to finally seal the deal, the Sentinel claims paperwork needs to be processed and sent to MLS for approval with his signing expected to be announced on Friday.

With already recruited left back Donny Toia also boasting plenty of MLS experience, this appears to be a key factor in Kreis’ thinking so far this off-season.

Orlando City SC‘s swoop for Johnson would appear to cast some doubt over the futures of both Servando Carrasco and Cristian Higuita who weren’t a part of the Lions’ 11-man protected player list released earlier this month.

All speculation at this point of course, Alex Morgan‘s loan to Lyon will temporarily separate her from partner Carrasco although the 28-year-old has been a favourite of Jason Kreis since he took over in July.

As for Higuita, the Colombian finished 2016 strongly but wasn’t as prevalent a figure as expected throughout the course of last season.

But back to Johnson, news of his pending arrival has got us thinking about just how he’ll fit into Jason Kreis‘ starting eleven.

Although Johnson may well feature as part of Kreis’ favoured diamond formation that he trialled in the 0-0 draw at Toronto FC’s BMO Field back in September, we can’t quite see how the personnel fits that system right now.

That’s left us wondering whether this is actually Orlando City SC‘s strongest possible XI right now…

Are you excited by Orlando City SC‘s swoop for Will Johnson? How will he fit into our starting eleven?

Comment below or tweet us at @Orlando_CityUK to let us know!