Orlando City SC‘s off-season recruitment drive currently stands at eight new first team players after the Lions officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese today.
City’s highest profile signing of the winter so far, the 29-year-old Peruvian international number one becomes Orlando City SC‘s most established stopper in Major League Soccer to date.
NEWS: El Pulpo is a Lion! 🐙
Orlando City SC Acquires Peruvian Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2020
Arriving at Exploria Stadium after his previous parent club Veracruz were disaffiliated from Liga MX, Pedro Gallese has been strongly linked with Orlando City SC since late December.
Pedro Gallese joins the Lions after turning down an offer from Alianza Lima who he made 26 appearances for on loan last year.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW PEDRO GALLESE’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
With Pedro Gallese nicknamed “The Octopus” in recognition of his shot stopping ability, this describes the cryptic tweet by Orlando City SC prior to officially announcing the Peruvian’s arrival.
El Pulpo está en la zona.@SEALIFEOrlando 🐙 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/HxsHFrVRta
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2020
Who is Pedro Gallese?
Highly experienced, Pedro Gallese is a veteran of 62 caps for Peru and is Los Incas‘ current first choice goalkeeper at international level.
Part of Peru’s Copa América squads in 2015, 2016 and 2019, Pedro Gallese also started all three of Los Incas‘ Group C fixtures at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Standing at 6 ft 3 in, Gallese’s senior domestic career began with Universidad San Martín in his Peruvian homeland back in 2008.
Making 56 appearances for Los Albos and winning the league title in 2010, his time at the club included a loan spell at lower league Atlético Minero in 2009.
In 2015, Pedro Gallese joined fellow Peruvian club Juan Aurich before a four-year affiliation with Liga MX side Veracruz.
A Supercopa MX runner-up with Veracruz in 2016, Gallese most recently represented one of Peru’s most decorated clubs Alianza Lima on loan in 2019.
The same club that former Lion Carlos Ascues represented in two spells, Pedro Gallese becomes City’s third ever Peruvian after Ascues and Yoshimar Yotún.
Besides Donovan Ricketts and Josh Saunders, Pedro Gallese is the Lions’ only other MLS goalkeeper boasting experience on the international stage.
Having started so many international games for Peru, namely at decorated tournaments across the world, the calibre of Pedro Gallese‘s signing has really excited the Orlando City SC fanbase.
Speaking after Pedro Gallese‘s arrival, Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said: “We are very excited to welcome Pedro to our roster.
Pedro Gallese most recently wore 23 for Alianza Lima but his Orlando City SC squad number is yet to be confirmed by the club.
With Brian Rowe currently wearing 23, it’s anticipated that Gallese will take squad number 1 at Exploria Stadium.
NEW SIGNING 🚨 | Pedro Gallese is @OrlandoCitySC's latest signing. 🤝✍️
Welcome, @pedrogallese! 👍🏽⚽️🦁
Position: GK
Date of Birth: 23 February 1990
Nationality: 🇵🇪
Height: 6 ft 3 in
Squad Number: TBCPLAYER PROFILE 📕: https://t.co/C4K3IiOSbB#OCTwitter #FaceOfCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/z5d5KgRRpV
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 17, 2020
International call-ups
While Pedro Gallese‘s arrival should have a positive effect on Orlando City SC hunting down a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs, he could be missing a chunk of 2020.
Being Ricardo Gareca’s first choice starter for Peru, Pedro Gallese will likely join Los Incas‘ squad for participation in the 2020 Copa América next summer.
With the tournament taking place between 12 June and 12 July, a deep run by Peru could see Gallese missing for some time.
After all, Pedro Gallese was a starter in the 2019 Copa América Final where Peru lost out to Brazil 3-1 at Estádio do Maracanã.
And this isn’t to mention Peru’s international friendlies throughout the course of 2020.
Nevertheless, with Brian Rowe having got one full season under his belt at Exploria Stadium, he would represent an experienced deputy with Orlando City SC saying goodbye to Adam Grinwis and Greg Ranjitsingh this off-season.
Just watch. You'll get where the nickname came from. 🐙 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/2z3BWpS5di
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2020
The fans’ view
With #OCTwitter currently reacting to Pedro Gallese‘s announcement as an Orlando City SC player, we gathered the best tweets following his arrival.
— Charlotte Patterson (@KirbyHazard) January 17, 2020
— Franco Rojas (@FrancoRojasP) January 17, 2020
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC Gallese 💜
— Ruckus Tainos (@RuckusTainos) January 17, 2020
— Sebastian Arbelaez (@SebArbelaez) January 17, 2020
— lee337 (@lmw_337) January 17, 2020
Transfermarket has him as the 203 most valuable keeper in the world which also makes him the highest rated keeper in the MLS.
— halcyon008 (@halcyon008) January 17, 2020
A Keeper with a reputation for playing like he has 8 arms- yes please!
— Corey Wolfgang (@coreywwolfgang) January 17, 2020
— Orlando City Digital Den (@OCSC_DigitalDen) January 17, 2020
ANNOUNCE MLS CUP
— 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒌 (@NickOCSC) January 17, 2020
— Northern Ireland Orlando City Fan (@OrlandoFanNI) January 17, 2020
Looks a very decent signing. Well done 👍
— Grant Anderson (@Grant03Anderson) January 17, 2020
Welcome @pedrogallese a lot of Peruvians will support you
— Carlos Cabrera 🇵🇪 (@PERUVIANY) January 17, 2020
Finally a keeper with some pedigree
— Jose Gordillo (@gordillo_jo) January 17, 2020
Loving all of these signings. Feeling good about this year. Hoping the guys click pretty well, pretty quick. Don't really want another rebuilding year. A lot of new players so it might be. But . . . Fingers crossed.
— iRaceTheReaper (@iRaceTheReaper8) January 17, 2020
It’s no coincidence top teams have top goalkeepers. The MLS is no exception.
— David Manock (@dmanock) January 17, 2020