With other rivals getting busy in the MLS Secondary Transfer Window, Orlando City SC have now joined the party with today’s signing of SM Caen forward Nicholas Gioacchini.
A USMNT forward with three international goals and eight caps, the Lions have acquired Nicholas Gioacchini on a free transfer with the 21-year-old signing a two-and-a-half year deal at Exploria Stadium.
NEWS: Orlando City SC Acquires American Winger/Forward Nicholas Gioacchini.@Nicholas_gioacc | #DaleMiAmor
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2022
Lions don’t hunt alone 🦁💪
Let’s get to it! ✅ https://t.co/B3LGMVZMnV— Nicholas Gioacchini (@Nicholas_gioacc) July 20, 2022
After trading for Jake Mulraney back on May 5, Nicholas Gioacchini is City’s only other mid-season recruit so far.
Despite being Orlando City SC‘s leading goalscorer (7 goals), Ercan Kara is a work in progress and is still adapting to Oscar Pareja‘s style of play.
With City currently the joint-fourth lowest goalscorers in the Eastern Conference (26 goals), Nicholas Gioacchini‘s arrival should spur Kara on while adding much-needed depth up top.
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations & General Manager, Luiz Muzzi, said: “Niko is an exciting young player that has a great ability to break lines and has a keen eye for goal.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW NICHOLAS GIOACCHINI’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Who is Nicholas Gioacchini?
Nicholas Gioacchini, nicknamed “Niko”, is a 21-year-old centre forward or right winger signed from Ligue 2 side SM Caen.
Right-footed, Gioacchini stands at 6 ft 0 in.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Gioacchini has won eight caps for the USMNT. Last July, the forward was named in Gregg Berhalter’s 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.
Of Italian and Jamaican heritage, this is Nicholas Gioacchini‘s first spell in Major League Soccer after spending his entire professional career in France.
Moving to France with his family aged 15, Nicholas Gioacchini started out with Paris FC B in 2017.
On May 14, 2018, Gioacchini signed a two-year contract with fellow French side SM Caen.
He debuted for SM Caen in a 4-2 Ligue 2 victory over his former side Paris FC in October 2019. His first SM Caen goal came in the 25th minute.
In 2020, Nicholas Gioacchini‘s club performances caught the eye of USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Gioacchini received his first call-up to the USMNT squad for friendly matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020. He earned his senior international debut at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
Replacing Yunus Musah from the bench in the 79th minute, the game ended 0-0.
Gioacchini didn’t have to wait long for his first USMNT goals however, bagging a brace in the 6-2 friendly victory over Panama just four days later.
His other USMNT goal came in a 6-1 rout of Martinique in Group B of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
With SM Caen relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of 2018/19, Nicholas Gioacchini earned a loan move to Ligue 1 side Montpellier in August 2021.
A higher standard of football, Gioacchini made 28 Ligue 1 appearances for La Paillade in 2021/22.
Only playing around 500 Ligue 1 minutes, Nicholas Gioacchini disappointingly failed to register a single goal.
During his spell at Stade de la Mosson, Gioacchini also appeared for Montpellier’s B team, scoring four goals in three appearances.
The fans’ view
With #OCTwitter currently reacting to Nicholas Gioacchini‘s announcement as an Orlando City SC player, we gathered the best tweets following his arrival.
Quick message from Niko 📲 pic.twitter.com/JoG25CKapt
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2022
Rocking that purple 💜 @Nicholas_gioacc | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/8hl6cnH1m7
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2022
Welcome to Orlando, Niko 🙌 #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/diUsvWFcXl
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2022
It’s official. Good business. Free.
He’s fast and OC hasn’t figured out the second winger spot out all season.
Idk how much impact he will have but I’m glad we have more options without spending too much.
Benji is on his last year. Gaston will be ready next year too. https://t.co/ayPyHAcVjH
— Antonio Cruz (@EddieTheCommish) July 18, 2022
wild, right?! like they clearly valued his talent in terms of regularly playing him… but apparently never gave him the chance to start, like, ever?!
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 18, 2022
We need help at striker and winger… very shallow depth and ton of schedule congestion…
— daguru (@daguru9) July 18, 2022
Looks like one less Yank in France – Nicholas #Gioacchini says Au Revoir to Caen and will head to Orlando. His last season on loan at Montpellier was disappointing, and I guess a season in France’s 2nd Div wouldn’t help his #USMNT hopes. https://t.co/nTK4Mt5EPQ
— yanksabroad (@yanks_abroad) July 18, 2022
Free transfer. Man we love those https://t.co/ozKwwxkwHP
— Lionsblog (@lionsblog1) July 18, 2022
Welcome to Orlando, Nicholas!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we wish Nicholas Gioacchini the very best of luck in Central Florida.
You can follow the UMSNT forward on his own personal Instagram and Twitter accounts too.
Nicholas Gioacchini will wear squad number 20 at Orlando City SC, a number last worn by Uri Rosell.
NEW SIGNING 🚨 | Nicholas Gioacchini (@Nicholas_gioacc) joins @OrlandoCitySC. 🦁
⚽️ ST / RW
🗓 25 July 2000
🇺🇸 United States
⬆️ 6 ft 0 in
🇫🇷 @SMCaen ➡️ @OrlandoCitySC 🇺🇸
👕 Jersey 2️⃣0️⃣VIEW PLAYER PROFILE 📕: https://t.co/d9UBXouzqN#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #DaleMiAmor #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/fEpYsk2t26
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 20, 2022
#️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/oDwhq5zfOt
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 20, 2022
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