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So the news is now official folks! United States international midfielder Sacha Kljestan is now an Orlando City SC player.
Jason Kreis‘ Lions have acquired the 32-year-old and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in exchange for both Tommy Redding and Carlos Rivas who now join New York Red Bulls.
NEWS: Orlando City SC acquires #USMNT Midfielder Sacha Kljestan.
Details | https://t.co/FrTI7QBdT8 pic.twitter.com/BfUuigCDKl
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 3, 2018
A move nobody saw coming at the end of the 2017 MLS campaign, Sacha Kljestan will certainly bring experience, leadership qualities and plenty of assists for the likes of Dom Dwyer to gobble up.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW SACHA KLJESTAN’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
One of the more controversial Orlando City SC signings in recent history however, Sacha Kljestan has plenty of Lions fans to win over after a feisty August 2017 encounter against the Lions in which Red Bulls prevailed 3-1.
Not only that but saying goodbye to an up-and-coming talent in Tommy Redding who is a local Oviedo boy too, this has proved a huge sore point for some City fans.
🦁💜
— Sacha Kljestan (@SachaKljestan) January 3, 2018
Nevertheless, Sacha Kljestan is undoubtedly a big name in Major League Soccer and somebody who certainly fills the creative void left by the retiring Kaká.
After all, in an Orlando City UK poll of over 180 respondents that has just a few hours left to run, 49% of Orlando City SC supporters claim they are happy with the signing of Sacha Kljestan this winter.
Are you happy with the Kljestan for Rivas & Redding trade or not!? 🤔
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 2, 2018
With Orlando City UK excited to see somebody of his calibre arrive in Central Florida, we gathered some of the best tweets following news of his signing.
It’s official folks! @SachaKljestan is a 🦁
On behalf of #OrlandoCityUK, welcome to The City Beautiful, Sacha! 👍🏽
Looking forward to seeing you help drive @OrlandoCitySC towards the playoffs at last! 🙏🏽
💜🦁💛#OCSC #MLS pic.twitter.com/19Ijw9B6RP
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 3, 2018
Quality, proven creative player and gets under people’s skin which makes a change, we’ve been lacking a bit of attitude. Fingers crossed we see a lot of Kljestan to Dwyer on the scoresheet! Sad to see a prospect like Redding go though
— Andrew (@soclandrew) January 2, 2018
Sad to see Rivas go, and a shame to see such a promising defender in Redding leave.
— Baron B’Stard (@BaronBStard) January 2, 2018
Good trade for #RBNY, which gets two young assets in Rivas and Redding. Orlando needs the help NOW and Kljestan definitely brings that. Win-win deal, I think. https://t.co/MuA3v3JT1P
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 2, 2018
Love that OCSC trade. Total win now move. Redding never fit & Rocket is a bit part player. About time the FO did something. Please announce Colmán
— Sam Reda (@28_Reda) January 2, 2018
Really looking forward to the new season now! Sacha, yoshi and dom. Sutter with his runs on the wing 😍🙌🏼🙌🏼
— Charlotte (@KirbyHazard) January 3, 2018
Welcome to Orlando. https://t.co/zZ8lPS5lLV
— Alex Leitao (@alexleitao) January 3, 2018
No excuses left for Kreis.. this club is in a position to win now. https://t.co/xYf7fhp6AS
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) January 3, 2018
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC Sacha!!! You are going to look fantastic in purple! Speaking of looking good in purple, how much money do we have to raise for the @OrlandoCityFnd for you to dye your mustache purple for one match???
— Alex Reiter (@ghost_reiter) January 3, 2018
@Orlando_CityUK more thoughts now it’s official, Redding was the sacrificial lamb to get Rivas out, freeing DP and international slot. Kljestan short term solution to add quality to midfield.
— David Manock (@dmanock) January 3, 2018
Not happy about Tommy!!
— Steffani Taylor (@SteffaniT7) January 2, 2018
Fantastic player to have at the club
— Paul (@iPauloxD) January 3, 2018
It definitely helps fill an immediate need in the midfield, but this sort of lens itself to a larger hole in the back
— JustAnotherBeardintheCrowd (@iamametalmonkey) January 2, 2018
Can you blame him? I mean Redding would constantly get beaten in the air last season it’s not like we’re losing anything but a local talent and attaining a first team on the sheet type player and a little TAM.. good mls trade
— Chris👻 (@CHeissenbuttel) January 3, 2018
Sad to see Rivas go, and a shame to see such a promising defender in Redding leave.
— Baron B’Stard (@BaronBStard) January 2, 2018
Should have kept Redding, hope it doesnt bite us in the arse https://t.co/blelEh35wM
— Tom Lord (@TomLordy1991) January 2, 2018
Mixed emotions for me… I still ❤️ Rivas and believe he can get there; Redding is crazy and unexpected, but Kljestan was my first nemesis in MLS so it’s fittting… he is a good player but I hate the flopping
— natasha wirbel (@NWirbel) January 2, 2018
Personally I don’t think Kreis understands how important young players are in the MLS, the depth they bring to any team carries value, in 2/3 seasons this trade will haunt us!
— Cameron Benson (@giantsbenson11) January 2, 2018