Exactly a week since Orlando City SC supporters were treated to clips of Júnior Urso revisiting Osceola Heritage Park and embracing Oscar Pareja, the Lions yesterday announced the re-signing of the 34-year-old fan favourite on a contract through the end of the 2023 season – with a club option in 2024.
A surprise, yet hugely popular mid-season addition to our 2023 roster, it’s been 251 days since Júnior Urso mutually terminated his contract with City, reluctantly returning to Brazil – and Coritiba – due to personal reasons.
A veteran of 100 appearances for Orlando City SC across all competitions, 87 of these came within Major League Soccer.
Affectionally nicknamed “The Bear”, Júnior Urso now has the opportunity to finish what he started in Central Florida.
Welcome Back. 🐻#OrlandoCity signs midfielder Júnior Urso through the end of the 2023 season.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
2020➡️2023 pic.twitter.com/Tv5n2X1Qvo
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW JÚNIOR URSO’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Re-introductory words
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “We’re so excited to sign Júnior again and be able to bring him back to the club.
On his second stint at Exploria Stadium, Júnior Urso said: “I am very happy to be back. The time I spent away was a difficult time for me.
“I left the club, but I didn’t want to leave, I needed to leave, but today I am happy to be back.
“We are after another trophy which is what this club and community deserves.”
Adding crucial depth, experience, and a winning mentality
Orlando City SC‘s mid-season signing of Júnior Urso adds even more quality to a roster already brimming with talent and depth.
A key part of the City squad that successfully won the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Júnior Urso provides experience, a winning mentality, and mentorship skills for the younger professionals in our locker room.
In his time playing under Oscar Pareja, Urso was predominantly deployed in his favoured position of central midfield.
But in 2022, we also saw Pareja utilise “The Bear” at right wing and in the number 10 position too.
A Swiss Army Knife of a player, his versatility provides Orlando City SC a great option with 11 MLS regular season games to go.
With Urso also named on City’s 2023 Leagues Cup roster yesterday, hopefully the Brazilian has a big role to play in that competition.
With César Araújo and Wilder Cartagena striking up a solid partnership in central midfield this season, you imagine 34-year-old Júnior Urso will be a depth piece.
But time will tell on this front.
Also vice captaining Orlando City SC on several occasions, Júnior Urso never complained about whatever role he played and always led by example.
Predominantly used to break up play, you can always count on Júnior Urso to transition well and also grab his fair share of goals.
Last but not least, Urso is also an extremely disciplined player despite his tenacity and fearsome reputation as “The Bear”.
Back in November 2022, Júnior Urso departed Exploria Stadium having never received a red card for Orlando City SC – despite playing in central midfield.
🐻😈 𝘽𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙊𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙇𝙊𝙊𝙎𝙀 😈🐻
Adding crucial 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, and a 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 to @OrlandoCitySC’s 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ roster. 👏🏽#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/yLgBcUnfys
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 19, 2023
Welcome home, Júnior!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we wish Júnior Urso the very best of luck during his second stint in Central Florida.
You can follow the midfielder on his own personal Instagram and Twitter accounts too.
It’s also been confirmed that Urso will wear squad number 21 on his return to Exploria Stadium.
With Martín Ojeda claiming Urso’s former number 11 as his own this season, Júnior Urso claims the #21 which has been vacant since Andrés Perea‘s December 2022 trade to Philadelphia Union.
New number, same Bear 2️⃣1️⃣@JrUrso | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/oWmcAGxfIr
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨@JrUrso re-joins @OrlandoCitySC. 🦁
⚽️ CM / CDM / RW
🗓 10 March 1989 (34)
🇧🇷 Brazil
⬆️ 5 ft 11 in
👕 Jersey 2️⃣1️⃣𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 🐻: https://t.co/n89d8q36K9#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/zoXaAnOX4D
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) July 19, 2023
The supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Júnior Urso‘s announcement as an Orlando City SC player again.
A little hibernation and ready to go!! https://t.co/H7ORHX0nZQ
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) July 19, 2023
So excited to see @JrUrso back in Orlando. His heart was always here. Tactically he's a great reinforcement in central midfield as well considering the modified game model Oscar has been deploying since mid-May. #OrlandoCity
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) July 19, 2023
He's Back. 😈 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/yhhrXrrFBm
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
Stay tuned for Part 2 😉 https://t.co/fksJsxIh4W
— Kyle (@SpearheadKyle) July 19, 2023
Welcome Home, @JrUrso! 💜 pic.twitter.com/3bj0pgpZ8c
— Allison (@allison_and_co) July 19, 2023
Hid some very niche and subtle bear related humor throughout the week… https://t.co/QCIxLWdd5z pic.twitter.com/DwsS9VtWD1
— Mickey Kennedy (@MickeyRKennedy) July 19, 2023
one of my favorite things this week has been watching @MickeyRKennedy put obscure bear references in tweets and absolutely no one noticing except us
— Emily (@EmilyCecchini) July 19, 2023
Exploria will be rocking on Friday for his return and I can’t wait
— Josh Keeble (@JoshKeeble2) July 19, 2023
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) July 19, 2023
Regardless of his number, we are all happy to have @JrUrso back!#VamosOrlando https://t.co/LLTRoLOBei pic.twitter.com/eGqY6vUUrY
— L🌞gan Miller (@LoganTMiller) July 20, 2023
I gotta be honest I’m selfishly so excited to have a chance to scream URSOOOOOOOOOO again
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) July 19, 2023
Holy smokes this is some news I love immensely https://t.co/u349f2cMNX
— Ryan Martinez (@Ryann_Martinezz) July 19, 2023
Hey google, can a bear eat a goat? https://t.co/SWozTaNC1N
— Alex Scott (@alexscottOC) July 19, 2023
god this tweet is so nice to watch now https://t.co/MMUWuRSCuu
— jared (@jaredgagnon1) July 19, 2023
My hat is back in business!! Let’s go!!!! 🐻 https://t.co/FayieVYZKD
— Kyle (@SpearheadKyle) July 19, 2023
Jr Urso’s head
Rafa Santos cross
Collision course pic.twitter.com/a9gxCzL0oC
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) July 19, 2023
Welcome back Urso!! https://t.co/KiazYoORAE pic.twitter.com/uvulRudwwv
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) July 19, 2023
#OrlandoCity announces the return of Junior Urso through the end of 2023, with a club option for 2024.
Understand he’s already rostered for Friday’s Leagues Cup game. Has been training with the team recently. pic.twitter.com/wtzLNeBv9P
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) July 19, 2023
🗣️ Sound off with your favorite @JrUrso moment in purple
We'll start ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/urjcW3xSc7
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
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