Yesterday, SuperVasco.com claimed Orlando City SC are close to signing Vasco da Gama left back Henrique with negotiations set to be finalised in the coming days.
In a translated version of the article, it read: “Orlando City, club of the United States, are already in talks and the negotiation should be closed in the next days.”
With 42.8k Twitter followers, SuperVasco.com is the leading Vasco da Gama news site online.
So far this off-season, Orlando City SC have tied up permanent deals for Alexander Alvarado, Antônio Carlos, Andrés Perea, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Silvester van der Water.
Also adding Brandon Austin on loan, Oscar Pareja‘s side had already recruited a depth left back earlier this off-season.
As it turned out for Jonathan Suárez however, the 24-year-old won’t be suiting up for Orlando City SC in 2021.
Cue an apparent interest in Vasco da Gama’s Henrique.
It appears he’s the adequate cover for João Moutinho who is still recovering from hip surgery.
Orlando City UK found out a little more about the man reportedly interesting the Orlando City SC Front Office.
Who is Henrique?
Henrique, full name Henrique Silva Milagres, is a 26-year-old Brazilian left back.
He currently plays for four-time Campeonato Brasileiro Série A winners Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro.
Making his debut in 2013, Henrique has made 186 senior club appearances for his hometown club.
A one-club player so far, it’s been confirmed that Henrique won’t renew his contract with Vasco da Gama when it expires on August 2.
This was decided by mutual agreement back in January.
Currently cast out from the Vasco da Gama first team, Henrique has been training with others who are in the same situation like Marcos Júnior and Fellipe Bastos.
According to Transfermarkt, Henrique is left footed as you’d expect, and stands at 5 ft 8 in.
Additionally, he’s scored just one goal in his Vasco da Gama career.
This came in 2020 in the second phase of the Copa do Brasil – a 2-1 victory over Goiás, in Goiânia.
Do Orlando City SC need Henrique?
In a word, absolutely!
With Jonathan Suárez‘s stay short-lived due to his arrest after allegations of sexual assault, City’s Front Office had to go back to the drawing board.
Considering João Moutinho is still recovering from hip surgery after getting injured at Atlanta United last August, we simply need left back cover.
Despite Kyle Smith performing well as a stand-in left back last season, we quite simply need another left-footed specialist.
The absence of João Moutinho meant Orlando City SC lacked natural balance from the left flank later on last season.
If Henrique does arrive, as rumoured, he could be in for a baptism of fire.
With Moutinho’s fitness still uncertain, Henrique may just arrive in time for the Atlanta United April 17 opener.