Orlando City SC‘s 2023 recruitment drive kicked into another gear today after the Lions announced the signing of highly-rated Argentine winger Martín Ojeda from Godoy Cruz.
Arriving at Exploria Stadium after journalist César Luis Merlo broke the story back on December 21, the 24-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Lions and becomes the club’s third Designated Player alongside Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres.
Bienvenido Martín 👋
Orlando City SC acquires Argentine midfielder Martín Ojeda as Designated Player. @TinchoOjedaa | #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 7, 2023
🗣️ @TinchoOjedaa pic.twitter.com/YyHbnpdiZQ
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 7, 2023
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW MARTÍN OJEDA’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Introductory words
Chairman Mark Wilf said “Martín is a talented young player who has exceptional skills, and we look forward to the excitement he will bring to our team and our fans with his style of play.”
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “Martín is a player that we have targeted for some time and are thrilled to have him join us.
Who is Martín Ojeda?
Nicknamed “Tincho”, Martín Ojeda is a 24-year-old left or right winger signed from Godoy Cruz in the Argentine Primera División.
Previously the captain of Tomba, Ojeda is left-footed and stands at 5 ft 10 in.
Starting his professional career with Ferro Carril Oeste in 2016, he’s since played for three other Argentine clubs.
These include Rodrigo Schlegel‘s former team Racing Club, Huracán (on loan), and recent side Godoy Cruz.
Making 139 appearances across all competitions in his professional career so far, Martín Ojeda has tallied 35 goals and 23 assists.
Before Orlando City SC were first linked with Ojeda in December 2021, Chicago Fire reportedly came close to signing the player way back in December 2018.
A long-term transfer target of Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira, the Orlando City SC Front Office will be delighted to have finally got their man.
Welcome to Orlando, Tincho!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we wish Martín Ojeda the very best of luck in Central Florida.
You can follow the winger on his own personal Instagram and Twitter accounts too.
It’s also been confirmed that Ojeda will wear his favoured squad number 11 at Orlando City SC, inheriting this number from Júnior Urso.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Martín Ojeda joins @OrlandoCitySC as a Designated Player. 🦁
⚽️ LW / CAM / RW
🗓 27 November 1998 (24)
🇦🇷 Argentina
⬆️ 5 ft 10 in
🇦🇷 @ClubGodoyCruz ➡️ @OrlandoCitySC 🇺🇸
👕 Jersey 1️⃣1️⃣#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/rpYVGXfYM5— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 7, 2023
🇦🇷🦁 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟭 🦁🇦🇷
It has been confirmed that new boy @TinchoOjedaa will wear squad number 1️⃣1️⃣ at @OrlandoCitySC.
The number was last worn by @JrUrso.#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/EJtYzZS5mZ
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 7, 2023
The supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Martín Ojeda‘s announcement as Orlando City SC‘s fourth major off-season signing.
This should be a HUGE signing for OC
Facu and Ojeda are going to COOK!
He fits right into OC’s newly opened international spot.
It’s great seeing MLS getting guys like Ojeda.
It’s even better when it’s our club!! #VAMOSORLANDO https://t.co/zWEgx6JWP8
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) December 21, 2022
Already rocking that purple 😤 pic.twitter.com/Cgqryi0hpc
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 7, 2023
Official ✍️ pic.twitter.com/K3lZeqPRX4
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 7, 2023
🟣 1⃣1⃣ 🟣 pic.twitter.com/H0bUtMBtxd
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 7, 2023
Martín Ojeda was the single best player in Argentina last year. Led the league in xA and third in xG, 13 G/14 A in all comps in 2022. The complete attacking package. #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) January 7, 2023
LFG!!! Welcome Ojeda 💪🏻
— Lionsblog (@lionsblog1) January 7, 2023
Bienvenido, @TinchoOjedaa!!! 💜
— Orlando International Airport (@MCO) January 7, 2023
IM SO EXCITED!!
— Joey Russo (@johnjayusf) January 7, 2023
In the least surprising news ever, Orlando City have signed Martin Ojeda.#OrlandoCity #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/hSwXM2fcgE
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) January 7, 2023
MLS Cup is coming home
— Jack (@jacksb7) January 7, 2023
— Adam Brummett (@Brummett43) January 7, 2023
Welcome to the family of Lions. So happy you are finally here and ready to watch play. VAMOS
— Gnocchi (@mtbh12) January 7, 2023
If Kara becomes consistent are front 3 is incredible
— Rcblue (@rcblue5) January 7, 2023
— Jimmy D (@jimmy_slc) January 7, 2023
With Ojeda and Facundo Torres, Orlando has two elite half-space merchants that provide playmaking and goal threat. You can stick either out wide as well as tactics or personnel dictate. Ercan Kara’s gotta be a happy man today.
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) January 7, 2023
I’ve been thinking about the moves we’ve made thus far and how they will impact our play style.
It looks like we’re gearing up to have a more offensive attack and a more defensive defense.
— Lionsblog (@lionsblog1) January 7, 2023
Martin Ojeda’s good bye video to his club
✈️ 👀 🦁 https://t.co/I8wnqhLVTw
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) January 7, 2023
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Extremely excited to have a player of his quality on our team. Orlando city is building something special. Praying they can all stay fit.