North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted today that Orlando City SC are finalising a deal to sign two-time MLS Cup winning attacking midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro after he departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.
After Mauricio Pereyra mutually terminated his contract with City on December 6 before re-joining Nacional shortly after, experienced fellow Uruguayan Lodeiro now adequately fills the void left by Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years at Inter&Co Stadium.
BREAKING: Orlando City is finalizing a deal to sign two-time MLS Cup-winning No. 10 Nico Lodeiro, per sources.
Lodeiro, 34, won two MLS Cups and led Seattle to be first MLS team to win CCL. Legend for the Sounders. 60 caps with Uruguay. Was a free agent. https://t.co/BhuiqIec2V
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) December 29, 2023
🇺🇸🇺🇾 Nicolás Lodeiro, set to join MLS side Orlando City — agreement in place as @tombogert called.
Uruguayan 34 yo player will join as free agent — told it’s one year contract plus option for further season.
Non-DP deal for Orlando City 💜🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/o0q4Mqze10
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 29, 2023
Before Tom Bogert’s scoop, Florida rivals Inter Miami were heavily linked with Nicolás Lodeiro this off-season.
Despite their embarrassment of riches that already includes Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and now Luis Suárez, Lodeiro was also reportedly in the sights of The Herons and their so-called MLS super team – *rolls eyes*.
However, barring any last minute complications, recent free agent Nicolás Lodeiro will now play his soccer up Florida’s Turnpike in the 407.
A longtime Major League Soccer veteran having spent seven-and-a-half years with Sounders, Lodeiro has easily been one of North American soccer’s leading lights.
Now 34-years-old, there will be questions whether Nicolás Lodeiro can still produce the goods in the twilight of his professional career.
Scoring one goal and registering 10 assists in MLS this past year, there is no doubting Lodeiro’s talent and leadership skills, however.
Playing 231 matches and scoring 58 goals since his MLS debut back in 2016, Nicolás Lodeiro helped Seattle Sounders win MLS Cup twice in both 2016 and 2019.
An outstanding addition to the Lions’ locker room, Lodeiro also captained Sounders to the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title – the first time the competition has been won by an MLS team.
After emotionally departing Lumen Field earlier this month, Nicolás Lodeiro will soon call Uruguayan compatriots César Araújo and Facundo Torres his new team-mates at Inter&Co Stadium.