On Friday, Lions CEO Alex Leitão teased the Orlando City SC fanbase by posting with his signature eyes (👀) emoji on Twitter and by Tuesday, a deal for Lamine Sané is now complete.
Becoming Orlando City SC‘s 13th and most probably final addition in our busiest off-season yet, the 30-year-old adds real quality to our back line.
Joining from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, Lamine Sané is Orlando City SC‘s second addition at centre back following Amro Tarek‘s arrival earlier this month.
A Werder Bremen player since 2016, Lamine Sané made 38 Bundesliga appearances for the River Islanders following a lengthy six-year spell at Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
Also earning 25 senior international caps for Senegal, adding somebody of Lamine Sané‘s stature and experience should prove vital in 2018.
Plugging the gap
Orlando City SC conceded the joint third most amount of goals (58) in the Eastern Conference last season with centre back proving a problem position for Jason Kreis in 2017.
With José Aja now likely to make way to accommodate Lamine Sané in the Lions’ strongest starting eleven, the consensus is that both he and Jonathan Spector can be a force to be reckoned with.
Disciplinary issues
Lamine Sané will be eager to start playing regularly again having been isolated from the Werder Bremen first team after being absent from the training ground without a valid excuse in January.
While this disciplinary breach may raise eyebrows in Central Florida, the strict coaching style of Jason Kreis will certainly mean that Lamine Sané knows he can’t step out of line.
Last stepping onto the field as a late substitute against Mainz back on 16th December 2017, Lamine Sané now embarks on the unfamiliar challenge that is Major League Soccer.
With Orlando City SC Twitter currently reacting to Lamine Sané‘s signing, Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following his arrival in The City Beautiful…
It’s happening! 😁🙌🏽
Welcome @LamineSane06! 👍🏽🇸🇳⚽️
Our NEW number 2️⃣2️⃣#OCSC #MLS pic.twitter.com/sjaBGom04f
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 19, 2018
Great addition to the squad as well as our defence. Great work from all the front office this off-season on all our signings. 👏
— Danny Wells (@DannyWells97) February 19, 2018
Good signing !! ⚽️👌
— Dan Fido (@DanFido22) February 19, 2018
can't argue with what @alexleitao and his team have done this off season! Can't wait to see it on the field now!
— Big Deal (@BazTastic77) February 19, 2018
First rule of OC soccer club…update profile to all things purple 💜. Welcome, @LamineSane06 💜 pic.twitter.com/AiauLoGcDN
— anakenn (@anakenn) February 19, 2018
I know @alexleitao probably won’t see this, but I’d love to thank him (and his team) for working so hard this offseason to build a winner. Looks to be a good mix of character and passion – something Orlando fans value. CAN NOT WAIT for the season to start!
— StevieOrlando (@StevieOrlando) February 19, 2018
Bienvenue à la maison @LamineSane06 ! 💜🦁⚽️
— Patty Floyd 💜🦁⚽ (@PvalFloyd) February 19, 2018
Welcome @LamineSane06. Can't wait to see you on the pitch in purple. Can't believe you're here!
— Bryan (@farmer312) February 19, 2018
Welcome to Orlando Sané!!
— Moraima (@Moraima_4) February 19, 2018
welcome to Orlando @LamineSane06!
— Big Deal (@BazTastic77) February 19, 2018
.@LamineSane06 Welcome to the Purple Show! Play Grown Man Defense and we will love you forever and sing your name up and down the streets of Orlando!
— City Beautiful Game (@citybeautifulsc) February 19, 2018
👀 Orlando City’s newest signing taking 22. #VamosOrlando #OCSC pic.twitter.com/KjoIU5AWkC
— The Roar (@TheRoarPod) February 19, 2018
@LamineSane06 Lamine, bienvenue à Orlando! Je suis très excité d'avoir un joueur de votre calibre à jouer pour notre équipe! Cela augmentera grandement nos chances d'obtenir un Coupe
Allons-y Orlando!— Justin (@J_Bone007) February 19, 2018
A centre back! pic.twitter.com/7CjLC0cWs0
— Dan Berridge (@DanBerridge) February 19, 2018
ANNOUNCE MLS CUP
— Sean (@SeanBih) February 20, 2018
Fantastic and much needed defensive signing, @LamineSane06! This season feels good, just a case of seeing if the all the hard work off the pitch will be translated on the pitch! Just waiting for the Away kit launch now! @OrlandoCitySC @Orlando_CityUK #VamosOrlando #MLS #OCSC https://t.co/dUgDJeYjVU
— Harry Salvidge (@H_Salvidge14) February 20, 2018
Everything we asked for and needed we offseason, you guys delivered!
So excited for the season to start! #VamosOrlando 💜🦁— Justin (@EliseuTheMan) February 20, 2018