Heavily linked with Orlando City SC since early January, the Lions have today announced the signing of centre back David Brekalo from Viking Stavanger with the 25-year-old signing a contract through 2027 (with a club option in 2028) at Inter&Co Stadium for a fee believed to be worth $2.5 million.
After City overcame a cheeky beat-the-deadline loan bid from Blackburn Rovers, the 6 ft 1 in Slovenian international of 11 caps now fills the void left by former City favourite Antônio Carlos who departed Central Florida this winter, returning to his native Brazil when joining Fluminense back in December.
A new Lion for the backline 💪
We have acquired Slovenian defender David Brekalo on a guaranteed contract through 2027, with a Club option in 2028.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 8, 2024
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW DAVID BREKALO’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
How David Brekalo’s Orlando City SC move unfolded
You have to commend the Orlando City SC Front Office for their resolve and persistence in getting a move for David Brekalo over the line in challenging circumstances.
- Jan. 8 –
- 12:08 – Orlando City SC submit bid of around $2 million to Viking Stavanger for David Brekalo – Stian André de Wahl
- 12:27 – Viking Stavanger “does not seem interested in accepting the deal” but Brekalo “seems to want to leave the club” – Football Norway (crediting Stian André de Wahl)
- Jan. 25 –
- 17:29 – David Brekalo lashes out, saying “Viking is failing me, and it’s disgusting… Viking do not uphold promises, they are not keeping what they promised me.” – Football Norway (crediting TV 2 Sport)
- Jan. 31 –
- 12:10 – Orlando City SC make improved $2.8 million + $300,000 in bonuses offer for David Brekalo with 15% sell-on clause – Arilas Ould-Saada
- 18:00 – Blackburn Rovers hijack Orlando City SC’s David Brekalo move with loan bid – Arilas Ould-Saada
- Feb. 1 –
- 16:34 – David Brekalo to Orlando City SC deal done and sealed – Davide Masi
- 16:53 – Orlando City SC reach agreement to sign David Brekalo for around $2.5 million – Tom Bogert
- Feb. 8 🏁 – Orlando City SC officially announce the signing of David Brekalo through 2027 – Orlando City SC
🟣 Sources: David Brekalo to @OrlandoCitySC: DEAL DONE!
Everything done and sealed between Orlando and @vikingfotball: #Brekalo will play in MLS#MLS #VamosOrlando #VikingFk pic.twitter.com/ho7LZ1TAWH
— Davide Masi (@davide__masi) February 1, 2024
Sources: Orlando City reach agreements to sign Slovenia int’l CB David Brekalo from Viking.
Blackburn tried to hijack late, but failed. Fee around $2.5m. @davide__masi on this too.
Brekalo, 25, has 11 caps with Slovenia. Big signing.https://t.co/gsNSjaZ3cV
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 1, 2024
Introductory words
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “We’re very excited to be able to bring David to Orlando and to have him join us this year.
Welcome to Orlando, David!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to take this moment to welcome David Brekalo to Central Florida.
The first ever Slovenian to play for the Lions, it has also been confirmed that Brekalo will wear the #4 jersey for Orlando City SC.
This is the same number he wore at Viking Stavanger and a number left vacant at Inter&Co Stadium since João Moutinho‘s December 2022 transfer to Spezia.
You can follow David Brekalo on his own personal Instagram account too.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC, David Brekalo. 🦁
⚽️ CB
🗓 3 December 1998 (25)
🇸🇮 Slovenia
⬆️ 6 ft 1 in
👕 Jersey #️⃣4️⃣𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 ⚽️: https://t.co/lep7OBjuYh#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/Gx3HGGwQTE
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 8, 2024
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following the news that David Brekalo is now officially an Orlando City SC player.
😤🦁 𝘽𝙍𝙀𝙆𝘼𝙇𝙊 𝙊𝙉 𝘽𝙊𝘼𝙍𝘿 🦁😤
Delighted that @OrlandoCitySC have now finally acquired their number one defensive transfer target. 🎯
As Antônio Carlos’ replacement, he has big shoes to fill but the Slovenian looks the right profile to succeed. 🇸🇮#OrlandoCityUK 🦁🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/1JnNlSQ8iE
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 8, 2024
Welcome, David! 👃 🦴 #IYKYK pic.twitter.com/aFISnIT9hI
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) February 8, 2024
Brekaloooo Brekalooooo 🎶🎶🎶#OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/qTCraMOuSy
— Loud and Proud Orlando (@lpo_podcast) February 1, 2024
WE DID IT! WE FREE’D BREKALO! https://t.co/yuF6n4la26 pic.twitter.com/u0hUoRgd04
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) February 1, 2024
Fantastic deal for @OrlandoCitySC. #Brekalo won Best Defender award of @eliteserien, is a starter and crucial player for Slovenian National Team. #Brekalo has everything to become the best #MLS defender #VamosOrlando https://t.co/j7kHWs2GEU
— Davide Masi (@davide__masi) February 1, 2024
Finally, some size in the backfield
— Bill Kyte (@BK917) February 1, 2024
Hope that with how long the process took he’s already got his visa and transfer stuff sorted out lol https://t.co/JeMaGV7yq8
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) February 1, 2024
Blackburn taking L after L to Orlando city hahahaha
— Ghxst (@smokeyflarez) February 1, 2024
— Rolando (@KappaSquid) February 1, 2024
🇸🇮🦁 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗗'𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 🦁🇸🇮
I think David Brekalo has all the tools to become one of the best defenders in @MLS.
Can't wait to see him in action. ⚔️#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/OmIy1uLvrq
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 8, 2024
We are COOKING
— Cormac Begley (@Cormac_Begley) February 1, 2024
— Doobie (@Doobie_the_Lion) February 1, 2024
Orlando next time the phone ring from England pic.twitter.com/vJtUHOV5tE
— prattm (@prattm) February 1, 2024
This is also a sign of the growing strength and financial power of @MLS that we are competing with championship sides regularly for players
— John Love (@johntamycin) February 1, 2024
HUGE ADDITION!! LFG🦁
— Zach Cannata (@Zachcannata) February 1, 2024
Our newest recruit…
📷 @OrlandoCitySC #OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/vQKLpKnK2O
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) February 8, 2024
…
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