Linked with Orlando City SC since early August, the Lions have today announced the signing of central midfielder Heine Gikling Bruseth from Kristiansund. Joining MLS as a U22 Initiative player, the 20-year-old has signed a contract through 2026 at Inter&Co Stadium for a fee believed to be worth €1.7 million including bonuses.
On August 7, it seemed the deal had fallen through when Tom Bogert tweeted that “Orlando could not agree a fee”. Despite Kristiansund rejecting several offers from the Lions, the Orlando City SC Front Office persisted in negotiations and ultimately secured their target. In a quiet MLS Secondary Transfer Window, Norway Under-21 international Bruseth will now bring more natural balance to City’s central midfield with his left footed play.
Adding more young talent to our midfield 🇳🇴
We have acquired Norwegian midfielder Heine Gikling Bruseth via transfer as a U22 Initiative player, signing him to a contract through the 2026 season with Club options for 2027 and 2028.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 20, 2024
Heine in the house 🤝 pic.twitter.com/B5c15Z7qJ0
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 20, 2024
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW HEINE GIKLING BRUSETH’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
How Heine Gikling Bruseth’s Orlando City SC move unfolded
- Aug. 6 – Orlando City SC working on a deal to sign Heine Gikling Bruseth from Kristiansund – Tom Bogert
- Aug. 7 –
- 09:56 – Orlando City SC currently in contact with Kristiansund over Heine Gikling Bruseth – Nordisk Norvège
- 23:36 – Orlando City SC could not agree a fee with Kristiansund and talks considered inactive – Tom Bogert
- Aug. 12 – Despite Kristiansund rejecting several advances by Orlando City SC, the Lions offer an improved €1.45 million including bonuses – Nordisk Norvège (crediting Nettavisen Sport)
- Aug. 14 –
- 10:20 – Kristiansund accept an offer of around €1.7 million including bonuses from Orlando City SC – Nordisk Norvège (crediting Nettavisen Sport)
- 14:48 – Orlando City SC finalising deal to sign Heine Gikling Bruseth from Kristiansund for around $1 million – Tom Bogert
- Aug. 20 🏁 – Orlando City SC officially announce the signing of Heine Gikling Bruseth through 2026 – Orlando City SC
Introductory words
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “We’re very happy to welcome Heine to Orlando.
“We look forward to seeing him in purple soon.”
Welcome to Orlando, Heine!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to take this moment to welcome Heine Gikling Bruseth to Central Florida.
The first ever Norwegian to play for the Lions, it has also been confirmed that Bruseth will wear the #18 jersey for Orlando City SC.
Daryl Dike was the last Lion to wear the #18 jersey before his January 2022 transfer to West Bromwich Albion.
You can follow Heine Gikling Bruseth on his own personal Instagram account too.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC, Heine Gikling Bruseth. 🦁
📝 U22 Initiative
⚽️ CM / CDM
🗓 6 April 2004 (20)
🇳🇴 Norway
⬆️ 5 ft 10 in
⬅️ Left Footed
👕 Jersey 1️⃣8️⃣𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 ⚽️: https://t.co/n89d8q36K9#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/Z5P4o1MVC2
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 20, 2024
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following the news that Heine Gikling Bruseth is now officially an Orlando City SC player.
A message from Heine👋 pic.twitter.com/I9Ew8Qojpb
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 20, 2024
Welcoming Heine after having followed him in instagram for 3 months without getting caught by our fans. @OrlandoCitySC https://t.co/kGjWwxG6zY pic.twitter.com/pChPSRP0ff
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) August 20, 2024
Say it with me everyone:
HI-nuh YEE-kling BROO-set https://t.co/iRZvUXbGu1
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) August 20, 2024
🇳🇴🦁 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙊𝙒𝙉 🦁🇳🇴
Welcome to Florida, Heine Gikling Bruseth. 👋🏽
Wearing 1️⃣8️⃣, this squad number was last worn by @DarylDike before he joined @WBA.
📸 Credit: @OrlandoCitySC#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/QRLfejmKLF
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 20, 2024
HC Oscar Pareja:
📌Heine is a technical player with a similar attitude and work ethic to other team members.
📌He is seen as a dynamic and intelligent player who will likely be well received by the fans
📌His position on the field is compared to the of Cesar#OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/YiIcJvmhL5— Alonso Contreras (@alonso_purple) August 22, 2024
Def addresses a need. Oc is 2/2 with Scandinavians so far.
We need midfield depth. Have an open u22 spot once Araujo left that designation https://t.co/9GhMDI59Ts
— Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) August 14, 2024
💪🏼🦁💜⚽️
— Bill Kyte (@BK917) August 14, 2024
Translation: “Thank you for everything” 💙
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) August 14, 2024
At least we got something this window I was getting worried
— Dávid (@gturtle_) August 14, 2024
🧵Player Analysis Thread: Heine Gikling Bruseth (20)🇳🇴
🗒Heine has produced positive consistency so far this season in the Eliteserien. In this thread I’ll be showcasing some of his key strengths as well as an area for development. pic.twitter.com/fyIdyzLv3I
— Kieran (@NextUpBallers) July 18, 2024
He looks like someone drew Martin Ødegaard from memory https://t.co/q2KD2m88Az
— Araujo Masterclass (@Cgoodwin188) August 14, 2024
Hair game on point. https://t.co/3DNI8kW46q
— The City Beautiful Game (@citybeautifulsc) August 14, 2024
CM reinforcements incoming for #OrlandoCity
A bit thin on reliable CM options at the moment, HGB has 2G 1A in 15 apps this season in 🇳🇴
ORL looking to stay in the playoff hunt and push for Home Field https://t.co/c76MrqhB1I
— The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast (@TheDPPod1) August 14, 2024
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