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Orlando City SC headlines are coming thick and fast right now with Luke Boden’s Tampa Bay Rowdies switch and Stewart Kerr’s departure to Vancouver Whitecaps catching the eye on Thursday.

However, Friday’s news surrounded personnel who will be sticking around in 2017 with Kevin Alston, Servando Carrasco and Seb Hines all signing new deals with Orlando City SC.

Carrasco has penned a new two-year deal at Orlando City Stadium while Orlando City SC have moved to re-sign Alston and Hines who’ve agreed one and three-year extensions respectively.

With the latter pair originally headed for the exit door back in November, their retained presence now adds greater depth to Jason Kreis‘ roster heading into 2017.

BREAKING | Servando Carrasco signs a new 2️⃣-year deal while #OCSC re-sign Seb Hines & Kevin Alston on 3️⃣ & 1️⃣-year deals! ⚽️

Thoughts? ? pic.twitter.com/1x63HEsMNu

— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 6, 2017

After both enduring a difficult 2016 campaign in the Lions’ defence, Alston and Hines will be out to repay Kreis’ faith this year.

Embarking on his third consecutive Major League Soccer campaign, Seb Hines is a familiar face in the Orlando City SC set-up and will be eager to cut out the defensive errors that hampered his progress in 2016.

A major threat from Lions’ set-pieces given his aerial ability, Hines will look to kick on this term while Kevin Alston will renew his rivalry with Rafael Ramos whom he covered for during an extensive period last season.

As for Servando Carrasco, rumours of a City exit following Alex Morgan‘s loan to Lyon proved premature with the 28-year-old now offering Jason Kreis yet another option in a potential midfield diamond.

With Cristian Higuita, Antonio Nocerino and new boy Will Johnson all capable of sitting at the base of a diamond midfield, Kreis’ central options look plentiful right now.

Speaking about the trio’s contract extensions in Central Florida, Orlando City SC General Manager Niki Budalic claimed: “Servando, Kevin and Seb proved to be important assets for our team last year and we are excited to keep them.”

One thing is for sure. With international call-up’s, injuries and suspensions all taking their toll over a gruelling season that can last 10 months in total, experience and squad depth will prove essential in Orlando City SC‘s quest to make the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Would YOU have retained these three Orlando City SC players?

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