Orlando City SC have today announced the marquee signing of two-time MLS Cup champion and CONCACAF Champions League winner Nicolás Lodeiro after the attacking midfielder departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.
Signing a contract through 2024 with an option for 2025, Lodeiro won’t occupy a Designated Player slot at Inter&Co Stadium despite his proven calibre. Ultimately, the 34-year-old MLS veteran now fills the void left by fellow Uruguayan number 10 Mauricio Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years in Central Florida before mutually terminating his City contract and returning to Nacional in December.
A proven winner 💪
We have signed midfielder Nico Lodeiro through the 2024 season with an option for 2025.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 4, 2024
LO(A)DING UP 🔋
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 4, 2024
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW NICOLÁS LODEIRO’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Introductory words
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “We are thrilled to have Nico join us here in Orlando.
Welcome to Orlando, Nico!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to take this moment to welcome Nicolás Lodeiro and his family to Central Florida.
As for Nico himself, we wish him the very best of luck as he embarks on this latest chapter in his illustrious career.
We still patiently await confirmation of the shirt number Lodeiro will wear for City with his favoured #10 jersey currently available after Mauricio Pereyra‘s winter exit.
You can follow Nicolás Lodeiro on his own personal Instagram and Twitter accounts too.
🇺🇾🤩 𝙉𝙄𝘾𝙊 𝙉𝙊𝙒 𝙊𝙉 𝘽𝙊𝘼𝙍𝘿 🤩🇺🇾
When it comes to @MLS resumes, few outshine @NicolasLodeiro’s. 📝
A talismanic leader on & off the field, his experience, winning mentality, & wand of a left foot have got me super stoked. Good luck. 👍🏽#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/sX618so1Ia
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 4, 2024
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following the news that Nicolás Lodeiro is now officially an Orlando City SC player.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC, @NicolasLodeiro. 🦁
⚽️ CAM / CM / RW / LW
🗓 21 March 1989 (34)
🇺🇾 Uruguay
⬆️ 5 ft 9 in
👕 Jersey TBC𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 ⚽️: https://t.co/n89d8q3EzH#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/PIhATUxn0n
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 4, 2024
I like this very much. I felt he was underused by Seattle this season. He has plenty of magic left and can be a huge mentor for younger players, specially his Uruguayan teammates Torres and Araujo . #OrlandoCity #garracharrua https://t.co/FN1WOk8WW7
— Miguel Gallardo (@migallardo01) December 29, 2023
Solid move since it’s not a DP deal.
OC loves 🇺🇾 vets https://t.co/gVVQ90wDLQ
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) December 29, 2023
Good morning Orlando pic.twitter.com/u5Bkmog6Ub
— Treasure Coast Collective (@NotoriousTCC) December 29, 2023
This is a great experience signing for someone 10 years younger than him to learn under. https://t.co/o4YDGulSTU
— Orlando City Fan TV (@OCFanTV22) December 29, 2023
BOGERT BOMB 💣
— City Insider (@CityInsiderORL) December 29, 2023
Can’t wait to see what he can do in purple. 😈
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 29, 2023
I think Nico is really an ideal Oscar player.
High IQ
High work rate on offense and defense
On pitch general just like El Generalito Oscar was in his dayHe always has a player like this. Mauro, Mauricio etc.
A papi proxy on the pitch https://t.co/gVVQ90wDLQ
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) December 29, 2023
Lose one Uruguayan 10 and bring another one in. I love it.
Thanks for the good news, Scoops.— Derek Christian (@DerekRChristian) December 29, 2023
I’m happy…but also I wanted a dp 10… https://t.co/r71zaXltio
— Joey Russo (@johnjayusf) December 29, 2023
Please tell me this is just as a squad player, we can’t be putting all our faith in all on a CAM who’s 34. 😑 https://t.co/btG4LbSCEZ
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) December 29, 2023
This I did not expect. Sounds like still room for a DP of some sort also. I wonder if Lodeiro even gets a starting spot. Exactly the right kind of player, however.
— @FLDataDude (@fldatadude2) December 29, 2023
I like this signing! https://t.co/m8QUT2lejQ
— Alonso Contreras (@alonso_purple) December 29, 2023
For what is worth, #InterMiamiCF was never close to signing Lodeiro although they did show some interest a long with several teams.
I am told that Oscar Pareja’s approach and true desire to have the former #Sounders player was a huge factor in Nicolas Lodeiro’s decision. https://t.co/E4Kaz3XE8X
— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) December 29, 2023
This is a really solid MLS move. And my expectation is we can still be very active in the market for a DP10.
Article mentions that they do not expect this to be a DP deal for Orlando.
Very intrigued by this move #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando https://t.co/VTIj1cx4he
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) December 29, 2023
LETS GO THIS IS SO FUN https://t.co/gxJmj0Si4x
— Morgan Tencza (@morgantencza) December 29, 2023
Other, I think it’s a good signing, on the older side so that worries me but he performed very well in Seattle last season, with lots of experience in MLS which is always good, no need to adjust.
I don’t think we get a DP 10 based on Bogert’s info, and we have Ojeda? 🤔— Moraima (@Moraima_4) December 29, 2023
The closest Orlando sports comparison to this Lodeiro move?
The Magic bringing Horace Grant in to provide that nudge over the finish line bringing priceless experience into the mix. pic.twitter.com/EAPL3V7BmJ
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) December 29, 2023
That’s a class signing!
— UK NYCFC ⭐ 🇬🇧 🗽 (@UKNYCFC) December 29, 2023
Nico & Facu 😍🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/22uYItw3Pl
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) December 29, 2023
always has looked good in purple 👀 pic.twitter.com/9GN9f61NV6
— x – Massive SC 🇲🇽 (@iloveocsc) December 29, 2023
Lmaooooooo
GOTTEM https://t.co/XIKGiGZ8cv
— Treasure Coast Collective (@NotoriousTCC) December 29, 2023
🗣️ 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙒𝙊𝙍𝘿𝙎 🗣️
Here is what Nicolás Lodeiro posted on Instagram back on December 22 after his emotional departure from @SoundersFC following seven-and-a-half years with the club. 👇🏽#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/wQd0rNkXx2
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 30, 2023
Great signing. Now get a dp center back.
— Pedro Goatllese (@OCSCdiehard) January 4, 2024
Great signing, he is a quality attacking midfielder and will be great coming off the bench. He can also mentor Torres and Araujo and has experience in winning CCC and MLS Cup
— anliaa (@anliaa_) January 4, 2024
🇺🇾 Orlando City has officially signed two-time MLS Cup and one-time CCL winning No. 10 Nico Lodeiro https://t.co/cUQAhdXXsj pic.twitter.com/CfYqqMAoC6
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 4, 2024
💪🏼 Bem vindo! 💜 https://t.co/Ft80QsTlgz
— Felipe Martins (@FeliMartins8) January 4, 2024
Welcome, Nico! #vamosorlando https://t.co/NLXJ9jU2M1
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) January 4, 2024
Welcome to Orlando Nico 💜 https://t.co/5QXU9z3xhc pic.twitter.com/0HzMU8kA2d
— City Insider (@CityInsiderORL) January 4, 2024
You already know Nico looks good in purple 💜 #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/V4CWc4U91G
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 4, 2024
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