After progressing through our development pathway, Academy and Orlando City B product Zakaria Taifi has today signed a first team contract with Orlando City SC.
The 19-year-old defender has penned a deal through 2026, with club options for 2027, 2028, and 2029. Born and raised in Orlando, the American defender of Moroccan heritage is the latest in a long line of players to rise through the ranks at Orlando City SC.
A standout in MLS NEXT Pro, Taifi not only becomes our latest Homegrown Player. He’s also our eighth first team signing this year after Colin Guske, Nicolás Rodríguez, Carlos Mercado, Marco Pašalić, Eduard Atuesta, Joran Gerbet, and Gustavo Caraballo.
A Lion since day one 👏
We have signed @OCSCAcademy and @OrlandoCityB product @ZTaifi to a First Team contract as a Homegrown Player ✍️
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 17, 2025
Taifi made his first team debut earlier this season, coming off the bench in City’s 0-0 draw at CF Montréal on April 19.
Since then, he also featured in our 0-5 U.S. Open Cup win at Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 7.
Having already made 44 appearances for Orlando City B – including 23 starts, three assists, and one goal – Taifi has built a solid foundation at the professional level.
He’ll now be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Alex Freeman, who has not only cemented his place as a first team regular but also emerged as one of the top right backs in Major League Soccer.
What’s more, Zakaria Taifi played a pivotal role in our Academy U-17 side that lifted the MLS NEXT Cup in 2021.
He is a true graduate of our purple pipeline, showing consistency at every level.
Having joined our Youth Soccer Network at Orlando City Soccer School – Seminole back in 2015, today’s milestone is the culmination of a decade-long journey in purple.
>> CLICK HERE TO VIEW ZAKARIA TAIFI’S PLAYER PROFILE <<
Who is Zakaria Taifi?
Born and raised in Orlando, Zakaria Taifi has grown up with Orlando City SC in his blood.
19-years-old and 6 ft 1 in tall, Taifi is primarily a centre back, but this season he’s started consistently at right back for Orlando City B under Manuel Goldberg.
With one goal and two assists for OCB this year, Taifi has shown signs that his future may lie in this position going forward.
Also capable of playing in defensive midfield, Zakaria Taifi officially entered our Academy setup back in 2015, first joining our Youth Soccer Network at the age of nine.
Taifi graduated from our MLS NEXT Cup-winning U-17 side and has long stood out as one of the club’s most promising defenders.
Through hard work, leadership, and consistent development, he has become a trusted presence on the back line for both our Academy sides and Orlando City B.
Standing out in MLS NEXT Pro across the past two seasons, he now takes the next step in his career – one that many young Lions dream of.
Wearing squad number 96 – the same number he donned with Orlando City B – the future looks very bright for Taifi.
Having already made his MLS debut, Taifi will now aim to earn more minutes under Oscar Pareja while continuing his development at the highest level.
Introductory words
General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said: “Taifi is a player that represents exactly what we envision when we talk about going through the steps and completing our player development pathway.
With Taifi now added to our first team roster, here’s how Orlando City SC’s 2025 squad is shaping up.
Orlando City SC supporters’ view
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets after Zakaria Taifi officially joined Orlando City SC’s first team roster.
🚨✍🏻 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 ✍🏻🚨
Welcome to the @OrlandoCitySC first team, @ZTaifi! 🦁
⚽️ RB / CB / CDM
🗓 1 October 2005 (19)
🇺🇸🇲🇦 USA / Morocco
⬆️ 6 ft 1 in
➡️ Right Footed
👕 Jersey 9️⃣6️⃣𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙀𝙍 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 ⚽️: https://t.co/lep7OBjuYh#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/lERgpvEMd3
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) May 17, 2025
Really pleased for him! 👏🏽 One of our own! 🦁
The future is purple. 😈 https://t.co/zRYVfvWsHS
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) May 17, 2025
A dream a decade in the making 🦁 https://t.co/Wb9UDyiCSg pic.twitter.com/Tjgd8ii85H
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 17, 2025
A true of example of “Trusting the process” 💜 https://t.co/4Mv51x7iFB
— Alyssa Taifi (@AlyssaTaifi) May 17, 2025
This is amazing! We have been watching @ZTaifi for years and we are so excited to see this! Can’t wait to shout your name next home match! Congratulations!!!! https://t.co/JjcU4k7iJN
— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) May 17, 2025
News: Zakaria Taifi becomes the latest player to sign a homegrown contract with #OrlandoCity.
The Academy alum/OCB defender signs with the first team through the 2026 season, options for 2027, 2028, 2029 pic.twitter.com/8OFvjqER4T
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) May 17, 2025
— Alyssa Taifi (@AlyssaTaifi) May 17, 2025
Thoroughly deserved @ZTaifi 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾just the beginning of the journey.
It’s an honor to work with a player with the hunger and determination you have, character is top! #sportingtalentagency https://t.co/3J7fC0SAkr— Julian Myers-Antiaye (@officialjmyers) May 18, 2025
Congratulations to Zakaria Taifi (‘05) for signing a homegrown deal with Orlando City! Taifi has had a great start to the season with a goal and two assists for Orlando B in MLS Next Pro and has also made two appearances for the first team. https://t.co/CxnAPEB2ub
— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) May 17, 2025
Congrats! Kids been with the club for a long time and this is well earned! #VamosOrlando #OrlandoCity https://t.co/oYDBmIe6xS
— mike. (@mikeaspillane) May 17, 2025
Congratulations! https://t.co/6nQqPcstFT
— x- Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) May 17, 2025
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