A veteran of 88 MLS regular season appearances for Orlando City SC, the Lions today confirmed that defender Antônio Carlos has completed a transfer to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Fluminense back in his native Brazil.
Initially signed on loan at Exploria Stadium back in 2020, the 30-year-old departs Central Florida as a hugely popular player, one whose esteemed centre back partnership with Robin Jansson has been pivotal in our upward trajectory under Oscar Pareja.
Thank you, Antonio 💜
Orlando City SC has completed a transfer of defender Antonio Carlos to @FluminenseFC of Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 16, 2023
É DO FLUZÃO! 🇭🇺
Antonio Carlos acerta por três anos e é o novo reforço do Fluminense! Bem-vindo ao Campeão da América, Guerreiro!
Saiba mais >> https://t.co/fNGuQC88od pic.twitter.com/RYqDI5zKJj
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) December 16, 2023
Parting words
Speaking about Antônio Carlos‘ exit, Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “Antonio brought passion and fight every day, whether it was a cup final or day of training and helped build our team into one of the most difficult to play against.
The statistics
Tallying 88 MLS regular season appearances for Orlando City SC, here are Antônio Carlos‘ final MLS statistics.
2020 season
- 20 games played
- 18 games started
- 1,634 minutes played
- 1 goal
- 1 assist
- 8 total scoring attempts
- 2 shots on target
- 2 yellow cards
- 0 red cards
2021 season
- 29 games played
- 28 games started
- 2,414 minutes played
- 2 goals
- 0 assists
- 17 total scoring attempts
- 3 shots on target
- 6 yellow cards
- 1 red card
2022 season
- 21 games played
- 18 games started
- 1,624 minutes played
- 0 goals
- 1 assist
- 14 total scoring attempts
- 3 shots on target
- 6 yellow cards
- 0 red cards
2023 season
- 18 games played
- 16 games started
- 1,410 minutes played
- 1 goal
- 2 assists
- 12 total scoring attempts
- 6 shots on target
- 6 yellow cards
- 0 red cards
All the best
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to thank Antônio Carlos for all his contributions in Orlando City SC purple over the years.
🇧🇷😢 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗖𝟮𝟱 😢🇧🇷
Thank you for all your contributions for @OrlandoCitySC, Antônio Carlos. 👏🏽
Always leaving everything out there on the field, I’ll miss his never-say-die attitude and rock solid partnership with Robin Jansson.#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/xO8NGb9j2R
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 16, 2023
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
With #OCTwitter currently reacting to news of Antônio Carlos‘ departure, we gathered some of the best tweets.
Forever a 🦁 #VamosOrlando
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 16, 2023
One of the best signings in club history
His passion and love for the badge was evident.
He always left it all on the pitch and helped the club win a 🏆
Best of luck back in 🇧🇷 Antonio#ForeverALion https://t.co/gjK4VdDWAn
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) December 16, 2023
What a header this was! 🎯
Thank you for everything, Antonio Carlos!#ForeverALion 💜🦁 pic.twitter.com/Mx6AFtpCbT
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) December 16, 2023
A special one. What a journey. Obrigado! pic.twitter.com/9ZjwdHj9oF
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) December 16, 2023
Happy I got to meet the big man during preseason. Real good dude and I know he’s gonna excel back home in Brazil #ForeverALion https://t.co/E0MAVWdkCi pic.twitter.com/dz2CSFfqMK
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) December 16, 2023
Four stellar years for Antonio Carlos in purple. Now he heads back home to play for the Libertadores champions. Boa sorte, Antonio! https://t.co/segEG4NEEV
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) December 16, 2023
🚨 BREAKING 🚨#OrlandoCity defender Antonio Carlos has joined Fluminense.
Forever a 🦁 pic.twitter.com/iwut5wf9uq
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) December 16, 2023
This week sucks.
Thanks AC25 for changing the direction of the club 💜 https://t.co/8B7qCc5fKx
— spence_beatriceOCSC#GARBEROUT (@FloridaisPurple) December 16, 2023
Forever a Lion pic.twitter.com/XrFtakGgcE
— Edward (@orlsoccer10) December 16, 2023
Gonna miss him in purple. But I think this is the right move for both sides.
Now we’re in the market for a CB or 2. Anyone you’re eyeballing? #OrlandoCity https://t.co/89YAthfSAE
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) December 16, 2023
#OrlandoCity announces it has completed the transfer of Antonio Carlos to Brazilian club Fluminense for an undisclosed fee.
Centerback played a pivotal role in for the Lions since joining ahead of the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/IqdR6ieXSe
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) December 16, 2023
Heart of a Lion.
Passion is not a crime.
Thank you to one of the greatest to wear purple. pic.twitter.com/WUlr4NTEYW
— Treasure Coast Collective (@NotoriousTCC) December 16, 2023
Another absolute legend for this club, his impact won't soon be forgotten 🫡 https://t.co/125GIofgnd
— 🎄 Mickey Kennedy (@MickeyRKennedy) December 16, 2023
You will be missed thank you for the memories! https://t.co/5r3moZOwEs
— Face of City Daddy (@MightyMike1313) December 16, 2023
Another one who came in and changed the culture.
Came in a player and left a CHAMPION!
Obrigado por tudo Antonio 💜 https://t.co/qZsR6p6jfX
— Ghxst (@smokeyflarez) December 16, 2023
One my favorites ever. Smart player. Skilled. Got it
forever a 🦁 https://t.co/kvLPO7DHXu
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) December 16, 2023
We got cash to burn. 💵🔥 https://t.co/D6zNoxQ1Fj pic.twitter.com/b0plB0wqog
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) December 16, 2023
It's another end to an era as #OrlandoCity transfer defender Antônio Carlos to Fluminense FC in Brazil.
The centerback leaves the Lions after 105 appearances with 4 goals and 5 assists over the past four seasons.https://t.co/RX4w9JCcPU
— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) December 16, 2023
As mentioned in our pod, #AntonioCarlos is the new CB for #Fluminense 🫡#ForeverALion #VamosOrlando https://t.co/5pBlMOm2tY
— Loud and Proud Orlando (@lpo_podcast) December 16, 2023
I remember the 1st 2 matches of 2020 before Covid thinking AC was such a liability. But since the 1st match of the MLS is back tourney I loved that man & vowed I will never speak ill of him again & defended his name till the end. I’m going to miss him, but happy he gets 2 go home pic.twitter.com/lYJcnVjzcb
— Hogtown Hooligans (@HogtwnHooligans) December 16, 2023
This is one depressing soccer weekend
What a player. He’ll always have a home here in The City Beautiful https://t.co/zEMkSzf83C
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) December 16, 2023
FOREVER PURPLE 💜 pic.twitter.com/zpZiq1PjGS
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) December 16, 2023
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) December 16, 2023
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
