Two days before Christmas Day, Orlando City SC supporters received an early gift for the holidays – the one-year loan signing of Argentine defender Rodrigo Schlegel from Racing Club.
A centre back by trade, the 22-year-old helps strengthen an area of need with Oscar Pareja‘s Lions bidding farewell to Lamine Sané who jetted out of Central Florida last weekend.
But who exactly is Rodrigo Schlegel, a signing that came completely out of nowhere with Orlando City SC supporters fixated on the club’s pursuit of Brazilian duo Antônio Carlos and Júnior Urso?
NEWS: Orlando City SC Acquires Argentine Center Back Rodrigo Schlegel. #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 23, 2019
Who is Rodrigo Schlegel?
Rodrigo Schlegel is a 22-year-old Argentine centre back who has joined the Lions on a one-year free loan deal from Racing Club de Avellaneda of the Argentine top flight, otherwise known in Spanish as the Primera División.
Included in the deal is an option for Orlando City SC to make the loan permanent after the 2020 MLS campaign.
Standing at 6 ft 1 in, as confirmed by @AustinDavid22, but incorrectly listed as 5 ft 11 in Orlando City SC’s official release, Rodrigo Schlegel is right footed.
With Robin Jansson and Kamal Miller both left footed, Orlando City SC‘s only right footed centre back on the current roster was Alex De John prior to Rodrigo Schlegel‘s arrival.
Born on 3 April 1997 in Remedios de Escalada, a city located in the Buenos Aires province, Rodrigo Schlegel is of German ancestry and made his senior debut with Racing Club in December 2017.
The defender started in a 2-2 draw against Newell’s Old Boys.
Rodrigo Schlegel most recently wore squad number 14 for Racing Club (2018/19) but with Dom Dwyer currently wearing this number, Schlegel may opt for 21 which he wore in 2016/17 and 2017/18.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW RODRIGO SCHLEGEL’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Six appearances in three years!?
#OCTwitter has been quick to point out that Rodrigo Schlegel has only made six first team appearances for Racing Club in three years.
With four of these coming in 2017/18, one in 2018/19 and an additional appearance in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana against Corinthians, his lack of first team game time is slightly alarming.
However, Racing Club supporter @martinezalan95 was quick to point out that Rodrigo Schlegel‘s game time has been limited due to experienced duo Alejandro Donatti and Leonardo Sigali being the first choice centre back options for La Academia.
A competitive environment
With Racing Club de Avellaneda being one of Argentina’s famed Big Five clubs with Boca Juniors, Independiente, River Plate and San Lorenzo making up the list of the country’s most successful sides, Rodrigo Schlegel arrives from a competitive environment with expectation.
After all, Rodrigo Schlegel was part of a Racing Club roster that won the Primera División title this year, plus a first ever Trofeo de Campeones de la Superliga Argentina title too.
Listed as an “up-and-coming center back” by MLSSoccer.com, Rodrigo Schlegel will now receive the opportunity to receive more regular game time in North America.
In joining Orlando City SC, Rodrigo Schlegel becomes only the second Argentine on the Lions’ all-time roster following Matías Pérez García who represented the club between 2016 and 2017.
What Luiz Muzzi had to say
Speaking after the announcement of Rodrigo Schlegel‘s acquisition, Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said: “We are very happy to add Rodrigo to our roster for 2020.
“As a club we are very excited to see what he will accomplish this season.”
Shortly after the announcement, Director of Scouting & Recruitment Ricardo Moreira uploaded a photo of himself and Luiz Muzzi at Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Perón where they sealed the deal for Rodrigo Schlegel.
#tbt pic.twitter.com/mnQe2tOiVE
— Ricardo Moreira (@ricomoreira09) December 23, 2019
Welcome to Orlando
Orlando City UK would like to wish Rodrigo Schlegel all the best as his embarks on his exciting new chapter at Exploria Stadium.
You can follow our new Argentine centre back on Instagram at @rodrigoschlegel.
NEW SIGNING 🚨 | Rodrigo Schlegel is @OrlandoCitySC's fourth off-season addition. 🤝✍️
Deal: One-year free loan (option to buy)
Position: CB
Date of Birth: 3 April 1997
Nationality: 🇦🇷
Height: 5 ft 11 inPLAYER PROFILE 📕: https://t.co/lep7OBjuYh#OCTwitter #FaceOfCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/fWxGnZzxF7
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 23, 2019