After Alex Leitão cryptically tweeted about a new arrival on Sunday, Orlando City SC officially announced the signing of Alexander Alvarado today.
The 21-year-old Ecuador international becomes the Lions’ second mid-season signing, arriving at Exploria Stadium on loan through the end of 2020 with an option to buy.
NEWS: #OrlandoCity Acquires Ecuadorian Forward Alexander Alvarado. #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 13, 2020
With the Orlando City SC Front Office hunting for a new winger since the end of 2019, the arrival of Alexander Alvarado is long overdue.
Despite Chris Mueller and Nani enjoying fantastic campaigns so far, Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira have long been keen on boosting City’s wide options.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALEXANDER ALVARADO’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
NEW SIGNING 🚨 | Alexander Alvarado joins @OrlandoCitySC! 💜🦁💛
⚽ LW / RW
📅 21 April 1999 (21)
🇪🇨 Ecuador
⬆️ 5 ft 5 in
🇪🇨 @Aucas45 ➡️ @OrlandoCitySC 🇺🇸
👕 Jersey 2️⃣2️⃣VIEW PLAYER PROFILE 📕: https://t.co/d9UBXouzqN#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/qhd7OgTJjx
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 13, 2020
Who is Alexander Alvarado?
Alexander Alvarado is a 21-year-old Ecuadorian left or right winger who arrives from Serie A side S.D. Aucas.
A native of Quevedo, the winger is a senior Ecuador international and joins compatriot Jhegson Méndez in Central Florida.
Earning two senior international caps with La Tri since 2019, Alvarado is only the second Ecuadorian to represent the Lions.
Standing at just 5 ft 5 in, the diminutive winger is predominantly right footed but possesses good shooting abilities with either foot.
Enjoying a six-year professional career so far, Alexander Alvarado started out at S.D. Quito in 2015 after a youth spell at Independiente del Valle.
Since then, Alvarado has registered six goals and 14 assists across 88 appearances in all competitions for S.D. Aucas.
In 2020 specifically, Alvarado has tallied two goals and four assists in 15 appearances.
Prior to making his senior debut with Ecuador, Alexander Alvarado scored four in 17 games for the Ecuador Under-20 side.
Part of Jorge Célico’s young La Tri side that finished third at the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Alvarado was also part of the 2019 South American championship winning side.
Initially arriving on loan, Alexander Alvarado is cast in the mould of a typical Oscar Pareja signing.
He’s South American, young, quick and with plenty of upside.
The fans’ view
With #OCTwitter currently reacting to Alexander Alvarado‘s announcement as an Orlando City SC player, we gathered the best tweets following his arrival.
These moves will look good in purple. 😈 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/gy5QMu4toW
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 13, 2020
— Lionsblog (@lionsblog1) October 13, 2020
What we can expect with supposed new signing Alexander Alvarado pic.twitter.com/bmpPSZpLmC
— Charlotte Patterson (@kirbyhazard) October 11, 2020
All I know about Alexander Alvarado is that I was extremely impressed by the diminutive winger who *sauced* Sergino Dest and Chris Richards a couple times when Ecuador played the United States in the U20 World Cup. That should say all you need to hear about what I think of him.
— Graham (@Graham_FL) October 11, 2020
It’s a great player, I wanted my team to sign him, good for @OrlandoCitySC I really think he will be successful at @MLS
— Alvaro Cepeda (@AlvaroCepedaV) October 13, 2020
Luiz Muzzi says in the release that Alvarado can play anywhere along the front three, but most of his games have come at left winger, where he's starred for his club team and the Ecuador U20s. Alvarado has 6 G/14 A in 88 career games.
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) October 13, 2020
His performance there led him to be capped twice by the senior national team in friendlies in fall 2019. He made his debut in the 85th minute against Bolivia and had an assist within his first minute as a senior national team player.
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) October 13, 2020
Welcome to Orlando, Alexander!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we wish Alexander Alvarado the very best of luck as he embarks on his latest chapter in Central Florida.
You can follow the Ecuadorian on his own personal Instagram account too.
Alexander Alvarado has taken the vacant number 22 jersey at Orlando City SC, last worn by Lamine Sané.
Alexander Alvarado has taken the vacant number 2️⃣2️⃣ jersey at @OrlandoCitySC. 🇪🇨
The number was last worn by @LamineSane06. 🇸🇳#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/VImiAqd07p
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 13, 2020