So on Monday, Orlando City SC announced Andrés Perea as their first winter signing and there could well be another South American addition on the way.
The Lions have reportedly submitted a formal transfer offer for Deportivo Independiente Medellin striker Germán Cano with Oscar Pareja confirming City’s interest on Colombian radio show El Alargue.
#ElAlargue “La transición aquí en el club ha sido corta, respecto a Germán Cano el equipo tiene interés y están en diálogos“: Óscar Pareja, técnico de Orlando City en: #CaracolRadio
— Alargue Caracol (@AlargueCaracol) December 11, 2019
But who exactly is Germán Cano, a man that is quickly becoming a household name among the #OCTwitter community this off-season?
Who is Germán Cano?
Germán Cano is a 31-year-old Argentine centre forward who currently plays for Independiente Medellin of the Colombian top flight, otherwise known in Spanish as Categoría Primera A.
Standing at 5 ft 9 in and right footed, Cano has spent much of his time outside his native Argentina where he started his professional career with Lanús in 2007.
Representing current side Independiente Medellin in two spells between 2012 to 2015 and 2018 to present, Germán Cano also spent time in Mexico, representing Pachuca as well as Club León on loan.
A lethal marksman, Germán Cano’s prolific goalscoring abilities are what immediately capture the imagination.
Scoring 51 times in 87 appearances during his first spell with DIM, his second spell has been even more impressive. Finding the back of the net 66 times in 84 appearances since January 2018, these stats are simply outstanding.
Naturally, the barometer of quality between Categoría Primera A and Major League Soccer is a matter of debate but there’s no denying the fact Germán Cano has officially been one of the world’s most clinical finishers in 2019.
Also serving as captain and the first choice penalty taker for Medellin, these leadership traits make a swoop for Cano even more appealing.
Adding firepower
When reviewing what Orlando City SC‘s Achilles heel was in 2019, a definitive answer is goals.
Scoring 44 times in 2019, our third lowest tally of our five MLS seasons so far and only one goal better than 2018 (43), Dom Dwyer‘s repeated absence and poor form hurt us badly.
Considering the defensive improvements under James O’Connor last season, this was especially difficult to take.
With both Nani (12) and Tesho Akindele (10) carrying the goalscoring burden across eight months, contributions from elsewhere were in all too short supply.
With Dom Dwyer (7 league goals in 2019) retained so far this off-season, a move for a veteran forward like Germán Cano may raise questions over his starting prospects at Exploria Stadium.
However, with Oscar Pareja now confirming Orlando City SC‘s interest in Cano, it appears the surgery our fans crave in attack may just be nearing completion.