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With the 2017 MLS regular season less than two weeks old, we already have our first winter Orlando City SC transfer rumour to chew over.
The man in question I hear you cry? Well that would be Norwegian international striker Jo Inge Berget according to Swedish newspaper Expressen.
The Scandinavian publication claims that both Orlando City SC and Malmö FF are already in contract negotiations regarding the 27-year-old’s future.
A huge striker standing at 6 ft 1 in tall, this particular rumour is interesting on two fronts.
One because Cyle Larin has publicly admitted he’s eyeing a transfer to Europe and two because Orlando City SC‘s most recent transfer involved the Swedish champions.
With Jason Kreis’ Lions signing experienced Peruvian international Yoshimar Yotún from Malmö FF in August, perhaps this is the start of a promising relationship between the two clubs.
Age & Position
Currently 27-years-old, Jo Inge Berget is very much a player in the peak years of his career.
If Cyle Larin is to complete his much expected transfer to Europe this winter, Orlando City SC desperately need to recruit a striker at the peak of his powers.
As we all know, 39 goals was a desperately short goalscoring tally for Orlando City SC in 2017.
Having scored 24 goals in 76 Allsvenskan appearances for Malmö FF, there is no denying that Jo Inge Berget is a capable goal getter.
Typically deployed as a centre forward, Jo Inge Berget can also play on the left wing or in attacking midfield.
Experience
Having already spent his professional career in five different countries, Jo Inge Berget is certainly someone who isn’t fazed by experiencing different cultures.
This is exactly what MLS would provide.
Plying his trade in his native Norway as well as Italy, Wales, Scotland and now Sweden, Jo Inge Berget was signed during Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s ill-fated reign at Cardiff City in 2014/15.
Loaned by the Bluebirds to Scottish giants Celtic in 2014, he bagged a brace against Dundee United on his home debut.
As we saw with the capture of Yoshimar Yotún, you can easily spot his quality in MLS having played Champions League football for Malmö FF and the same would apply for Berget.
International Repute
Having been capped 19 times by the Norwegian national side, Jo Inge Berget has scored two times since his international debut in 2012.
Recently part of the Norway squad that completed autumn friendlies against Slovakia and Macedonia, Jo Inge Berget would be one of those players often missing through international selection if signed.
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