In a major boost for Orlando City SC ahead of the 2025 season, North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted early this morning that midfielder César Araújo is set to remain with the Lions for the upcoming year. Despite strong interest from Uruguayan giants Nacional, who attempted to secure Araújo’s signature this winter, sources indicate that the 22-year-old will stay at Inter&Co Stadium for the 2025 campaign.
Araújo’s current contract with Orlando City SC expires on December 31, 2025, with no club options available, putting the club in a delicate position. Had a transfer to Nacional or Belgrano gone through, the Lions would’ve secured a fee for the once-capped Uruguay international, rather than potentially losing him for free in 12 months.
However, with Orlando City SC holding strong ambitions to take the next step and win MLS Cup in 2025, it seems that, reportedly against Araújo’s wishes, the club has taken a firm stance and rejected the idea of him leaving this winter. As all City supporters know, with Facundo Torres already gone this winter, losing César Araújo as well would’ve been a disastrous blow to the squad.
Sources: Cesar Araujo to stay at Orlando City.
Nacional tried to sign him this winter but plan is for Araujo to stay.
One year left on his contract and Orlando will still work on a new contract but know the team is better if he stays. Prioritizing 2025 over small transfer fee. pic.twitter.com/WSq38i5s4a
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 24, 2025
César Araújo’s impact so far
The tireless César Araújo has earned a strong reputation for his exceptional work rate, combative style, and dark arts mastery of the midfield.
These traits have been crucial to Orlando City SC’s upward trajectory under Oscar Pareja.
Araújo’s central midfield partnership with Wilder Cartagena has become a cornerstone of our tactical approach.
This dynamic double pivot has certainly helped propel the Lions to success, including our Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph in 2022.
Making 121 appearances across all competitions in his three years at the club, César Araújo is, in my opinion, one of our most important players.
Losing such a pivotal cog, especially with the departures of Heine Gikling Bruseth, Jeorgio Kocevski, and Felipe Martins, would’ve left Orlando City SC alarmingly thin in central midfield.
After all, we’re now just 29 days away from our 2025 MLS home opener against Philadelphia Union!
Back on December 26, it looked as Orlando City SC were lining up Peñarol’s Ignacio Sosa as a potential replacement for Araújo.
But that same day, Ricardo Moreira took to X to publicly deny Orlando City SC’s interest in a loan offer for Sosa.
While Luiz Muzzi and Moreira still have significant roster building to do in a criminally short off-season, this Araújo news comes as a big relief to supporters.
Waiting on that new contract now!
After considering a return to South America to be closer to his family, César Araújo will now stay with Orlando City SC and remain a crucial part of our midfield in 2025.
As Tom Bogert tweeted, “Orlando will still work on a new contract” for Araújo as the club looks to build on its momentum and push for further success this year.
When this will be, we don’t currently know.
As I tweeted yesterday, if the reports about Araújo wanting out were true, let’s just hope his mindset is in the right place as embark on a brand-new season.
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