(Credit: Transfermarkt)
After a very slow start, the Lions’ winter recruitment drive is finally gathering momentum. Thank heavens! In the early hours of this morning, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted that Orlando City SC are “closing in on deal for Colombian 20-year-old talent Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza”.
Shortly after Romano’s tweet, Tom Bogert corroborated the news, tweeting “Orlando City finalizing deal to sign Colombia winger Nico Rodríguez from Fortaleza” while confirming that Rodríguez will join via Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative.
Bogert also mentioned that Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) was the first to break the news. Sierra cited himself that Orlando City SC had beat off competition from Colombian side Millonarios to sign Nicolás Rodríguez. Not only them but also New York Red Bulls with Tiago Brandão (@Tiagobrandao_8) confirming that our 2024 Eastern Conference Final conquerers tried to sign Rodríguez too.
🟣🇨🇴 Orlando City are closing in on deal for Colombian 20 year old talent Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza.
Deal at final stages for Rodriguez who was in the list of several clubs, but heading to the MLS. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/DEJi7mfbq7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2025
Sources: Orlando City finalizing deal to sign Colombia winger Nico Rodriguez from Fortaleza. @PSierraR first.
Rodriguez, 20, will join via U-22 Initiative pic.twitter.com/xd7K7hklxQ
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 10, 2025
🚨 Nicolás Rodríguez (20) no irá a #Millonarios. Está a mínimos detalles de convertirse en nuevo jugador de #OrlandoCity. #FortalezaCEIF aceptó la oferta del conjunto de la MLS 🇨🇴
👀 Ya intercambian documentación para que pueda viajar a firmar en Estados Unidos pic.twitter.com/hEHXKnRVZg
— Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) January 10, 2025
More exclusive information about the negotiation:
New York Red Bulls also attempted to sign Nicolás. However, the player's destination will be Orlando City.
Nicolás arrives as a natural replacement for Facundo Torres, as he plays in the same position.
However, he will not be a… https://t.co/ZQ3KNhKZy4
— Tiago Brandão (@Tiagobrandao_8) January 10, 2025
The current mood of the fanbase
With Facundo Torres sold to Palmeiras on December 20, Orlando City SC supporters have been eager to see a new winger join the ranks.
This anticipation turned into growing desperation in recent days, especially after Club América rejected a bid from the Lions for USMNT winger Alejandro Zendejas on January 3.
Amid increasing pressure to finalise our 2025 roster, the Lions now look set to bolster their attacking options with Nicolás Rodríguez.
And not a minute too soon!
Heck, it’s been looking like we might lose even more key players before signing any new ones!
Especially yesterday when Uruguayan journalist Sofía Berardi (@sofiberardi) reported that Nacional are actively pursuing César Araújo.
Berardi shared quotes from President of Nacional, Ricardo Vairo, stating, “César Araújo would be the one option that we are working on for our midfield.
“An offer was already sent to the American club.
“The idea is to heavily invest in the purchase of a percentage of the player.”
Losing both César Araújo and Facundo Torres this off-season would be a disastrous blow to Orlando City SC’s 2025 ambitions.
This would leave Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira with arguably too much to address in a criminally short off-season.
But let’s just be content with Nicolás Rodríguez’s impending arrival first.
Here’s how Orlando City SC’s 2025 roster is looking with Rodríguez included.
Who is Nicolás Rodríguez?
Nicolás Rodríguez is a 20-year-old Colombian right winger who currently plays for Fortaleza CEIF in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A.
Not to be confused with the Brazilian club Fortaleza, Fortaleza CEIF are a less globally recognised outfit.
Rodríguez hails from San José del Guaviare, the capital of the Guaviare department by the Guaviare River.
Standing at a small 5 ft 8 in, Rodríguez’s low centre of gravity complements his dynamic and versatile playing style.
Primarily a right winger, Rodríguez has also played as a left winger, a central midfielder, and at centre forward too.
According to Transfermarkt, he has made 46 career appearances as a right winger and 12 as a left winger.
He has played once in each of the other positions.
Nicolás Rodríguez moved to Bogotá in 2021 to join Fortaleza CEIF’s youth sides.
He made his first team debut on October 12, 2021 as a late substitute in a 0-0 Categoría Primera B draw against Boyacá Chicó.
After limited appearances in 2022, Rodríguez became a key starter in 2023, scoring his first senior goal on April 9 in a 0-1 away win over Cortuluá.
That year, he scored eight goals as Fortaleza CEIF achieved promotion to the top tier.
He remained a starter in 2024, further cementing his status as a pivotal player.
To date, Nicolás Rodríguez has made 73 career appearances for Fortaleza CEIF, tallying 12 goals and 8 assists across all competitions.
However, he is still waiting for recognition on the international stage, having yet to play for any of Colombia’s age groups.
Known for his explosive pace, creative dribbling, and eye for goal, Rodríguez brings qualities that make him a natural fit for Orlando City SC’s attacking setup.
A left-footed player primarily operating on the right wing, his profile mimics that of former talisman Facundo Torres.
While Nicolás Rodríguez isn’t the direct replacement for Torres – at least we hope! – his addition provides depth and potential in Orlando City SC’s attacking options.
Although our bid for Alejandro Zendejas was rejected, it offers hope that Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira are still actively seeking a new Designated Player to fill the gap left by Facundo Torres’ departure.
And hopefully, Nicolás Rodríguez is a depth option behind whoever that may be.
Journalist Tiago Brandão (@Tiagobrandao_8) certainly seems to think a DP will follow, tweeting “Orlando City will look for a stronger name in the market to fill the DP spot left by Facundo”.
When the Rodríguez deal goes through, he won’t only become City’s second off-season signing after Colin Guske.
He will become Orlando City SC’s fourth current Colombian, joining Oscar Pareja, Iván Angulo, and Luis Muriel at Inter&Co Stadium.
Given Papi’s success with South American players, Rodríguez’s development will be interesting to watch in 2025.
For City supporters, this signing represents a glimmer of optimism as the club looks to recalibrate following Facundo Torres’ exit.
While expectations may need adjusting for a post-Facu world, Rodríguez’s arrival is a step in the right direction as Orlando City SC aim to build a competitive roster for the upcoming MLS season.
Tom Bogert has already confirmed that Nicolás Rodríguez is joining Orlando City SC under MLS’s U22 Initiative.
With three U22 spots on our roster, Rodríguez will fill one of the two spots vacated by Gastón González and Heine Gikling Bruseth, with Ramiro Enrique already occupying another.
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