(Credit: Transfermarkt)
28 days after the club record $14 million sale of Facundo Torres to Palmeiras, Orlando City SC have today announced the signing of 20-year-old Colombian forward Nicolás Rodríguez, adding some crucial depth to our right wing position.
Joining the Lions as an U22 Initiative player, Rodríguez arrives from Fortaleza CEIF for a fee reportedly worth $1 million. Having signed a contract through 2027, with a club option in 2028, the young Colombian becomes our second 2024/25 off-season arrival after Colin Guske.
A young Colombian with a bright future ⭐️
We have acquired winger Nicolás Rodríguez from @FortalezaCEIF in the Liga BetPlay Dimayor, Colombia’s top tier. He will join as a U22 Initiative player through 2027, with a Club option in 2028.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2025
El Correcaminos 💨 pic.twitter.com/9Yb47RLvBD
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2025
Yo te amo #NicolásRodríguez ❤️
🛫 @OrlandoCitySC 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/256srnJorj
— Fortaleza CEIF (@FortalezaCEIF) January 17, 2025
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW NICOLÁS RODRÍGUEZ’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Who is Nicolás Rodríguez?
Check out this blog we wrote last week for our full lowdown on Nicolás Rodríguez, his playing style, and his career so far.
How Nicolás Rodríguez’s Orlando City SC move unfolded
- Jan. 10 –
- 01:27 – Nicolás Rodríguez will not go to Millonarios and is in final stages of joining Orlando City SC. – Pipe Sierra
- 01:33 – Orlando City SC closing in on deal for Colombian 20-year-old talent Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza. – Fabrizio Romano
- Jan. 17 🏁 – Orlando City SC officially announce the signing of Nicolás Rodríguez through 2027, with a club option in 2028. – Orlando City SC
Introductory words
Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said: “We’re very excited to have Nico join us here in Orlando.
“Nico has a skilled left foot that makes him a challenge to defend.
“He likes to take defenders on one-on-one and has a promising future.
“We’re excited for all he’ll achieve here during his time in purple.”
On his own move, Nicolás Rodríguez said: It’s an honour and a point of pride to be able to wear this kit, to be able to represent this badge and it’s very important to me and to my family.
“I’m excited about this next step along my journey.”
Welcome to Orlando, Nico!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to take this moment to welcome Nicolás Rodríguez to Central Florida.
Nicknamed El Correcaminos, this is Spanish for ‘The Road Runner’ – a nod to Rodríguez’s blistering pace.
Rodríguez is the sixth Colombian to play for the Lions after Carlos Rivas, Cristian Higuita, Santiago Patiño, Iván Angulo, and Luis Muriel.
It is yet to be confirmed what squad number Rodríguez will wear for Orlando City SC.
He last wore number #11 for Fortaleza CEIF, but this jersey is currently occupied by Martín Ojeda.
You can follow Nicolás Rodríguez on his own personal Instagram account too.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Welcome to @OrlandoCitySC, Nicolás Rodríguez. 🦁
📝 U22 Initiative
⚽️ RW / LW
🗓 25 April 2004 (20)
🇨🇴 Colombia
⬆️ 5 ft 8 in
⬅️ Left Footed
👕 Jersey TBC𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 ⚽️: https://t.co/d9UBXov7gl#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/v5FOD1aR30
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 17, 2025
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Nicolás Rodríguez’s announcement as an Orlando City SC player.
Some optimism as we respond to Facundo Torres’ exit. 😌
While Nicolás Rodríguez isn’t Facu’s direct replacement (we hope!), he provides crucial U22 depth. 💪🏽
Since we already bid for Alejandro Zendejas, it offers hope that Muzzi & Moreira are still actively seeking a new DP. 🔎 https://t.co/zT1WUA69LY
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 10, 2025
A lot of potential 📈 pic.twitter.com/BPIRjsXASh
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 17, 2025
OMG WE SIGNED SOMEONE
— landin (@LandinOber) January 17, 2025
There it is! pic.twitter.com/NIUEYBKntw
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) January 17, 2025
A signing who is NOT a DP!?!? Is there more to come👀👀
— Jordan Morales (@jorda6n) January 17, 2025
VAMOSSS🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴
— nick 💜🦁 (@nicholasoso) January 17, 2025
His highlights look good. Very smooth and looks like an excellent creator.
— OCSC SZN (@PJNole) January 17, 2025
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Orlando City acquires Nicolas Rodriguez. The Colombian winger joins from Fortaleza.#OrlandoCity pic.twitter.com/G2FyPT4EKG
— The English Lion (@TheEnglishLion1) January 17, 2025
Strong start to the winter here for the Lions. Rodríguez has a ton of experience for a player so young and fits the inverted RW role in Oscar’s game model perfectly. Will be fun to watch him grow. https://t.co/EZMwSC7OrQ
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) January 17, 2025
LFG!!! https://t.co/KfHv7p2ewV
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) January 17, 2025
Now we are talking. Orlando is going to be hardcore this season. #VamosOrlando https://t.co/FWipjqRef0 pic.twitter.com/bkLCEH0D5X
— L❄️gan Miller (@LoganTMiller) January 17, 2025
Bienvenido a tu casa🫡💜 https://t.co/apBqyC5MCJ
— Iron Lion Firm (@IronLionFirm) January 17, 2025
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) January 17, 2025
It’s official: Orlando City SC has acquired winger Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza C.E.I.F. in the Liga BetPlay Dimayor, Colombia’s top tier, it was announced today.
Rodríguez will join the Lions via transfer as a U22 Initiative player through 2027, with a Club option in 2028,… pic.twitter.com/MBuIVuyycj
— Loud and Proud Orlando (@lpo_podcast) January 17, 2025
Important to note this is not the Facu replacement, this is just a piece to the puzzle.
Still need a DP another u22 and depth in the midfield. #VamosOrlando #orlandoCity https://t.co/TdfOn0n80t
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) January 17, 2025
#OrlandoCity announced today they acquired Nicolás Rodriguez from #FortalezaCEIF 🇨🇴 via transfer as a U22 Initiatuve Player. The deal runs through 2027 w/ club option for 2028. He had 8 goals, 6 assists in 2024 in all comps.#VamosOrlando https://t.co/xk5ms9aOSV
— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) January 17, 2025
#OrlandoCity
He signs with Orlando 👏Rodríguez will join the Lions via transfer as a U22 Initiative player through 2027, with a Club option in 2028 https://t.co/3pMj0P2ZOU
— Alonso El Inca (@alonso_inca) January 17, 2025
Thereeeeeeee we go!! Vamos!! Welcome 💜 https://t.co/dl3A7FFQfl
— spence_beatriceOCSC (@FloridaisPurple) January 17, 2025
Welcome, Nico! https://t.co/jauky8FOju
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) January 17, 2025
…
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