Who is Orlando City SC new boy Shane O’Neill?

/ Taylor Williams

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Extremely busy in the off-season, Orlando City SC are still adding jigsaw pieces mid-season with defender Shane O’Neill joining the Lions today.

Available for selection from July 10th, the Irish born American player has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and counts as a Homegrown Player after arriving as a Discovery Signing.

A nomadic career

Despite still being young at 24-years-old, Shane O’Neill has enjoyed a somewhat nomadic career having performed in five different countries in just six years.

Making his professional debut with Colorado Rapids in 2012 having graduated through their academy, Shane O’Neill crucially boasts MLS experience having made 52 league appearances for the Western Conference outfit.

He was also named in Landon Donovan’s 22-man Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game roster alongside the likes of Jesse Gonzalez, Erik Palmer-Brown and Harry Shipp back in 2015.

A dual national

A dual national who is still eligible to play for either the Republic of Ireland or the United States, Shane O’Neill actually received a call-up to the senior USMNT side for a friendly against Panama in February 2015.

Making 15 appearances with the U.S. youth national teams from 2013 to 2015, the 24-year-old previously claimed he would be willing to switch allegiances to his native Ireland.

Still awaiting a senior international debut with either the Boys in Green or Stars and Stripes, O’Neill will now hope to settle at one club following his most recent spell with SBV Excelsior in the Dutch Eredivisie.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW SHANE O’NEILL’S PLAYER PROFILE <<<

Remember him, Cambridge United fans?

Making 11 appearances between the senior and U21 sides for the Rotterdam-based club in 2017/18, Shane O’Neill also recently played on UK shores at Cambridge United of League Two in 2015/16.

Since departing his first club Colorado Rapids in 2015, Shane O’Neill has also joined Apollon Limassol of Cyprus, Royal Excel Mouscron of Belgium and NAC Breda of the Netherlands.

No doubt signing an experienced player, just where will Shane O’Neill fit into Orlando City SC‘s plans however?

Best position?

Shane O’Neill‘s favoured position is at centre back but due to his athletic ability, he is also capable in defensive midfield or right back.

Given the injury struggles Orlando City SC have had to contend with at centre back this term with Jonathan Spector and Lamine Sané both missing action, you have to imagine he is additional cover here, much like Chris Schuler.

With Cristian Higuita, Uri Rosell and Yoshimar Yotún fighting it out in defensive midfield with everybody fit and available, Shane O’Neill will be a utility option who adds crucial depth to our roster.

O’Neill will wear the number 12 jersey for the Lions, last worn by Kevin Alston from 2016 to 2017.

Good luck

On behalf of Orlando City UK, good luck in your Orlando City SC career, Shane O’Neill! You can follow the defender on Twitter at @ShanyBoy15!

Then again, his last tweet was in May 2013!

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