After a short, breathless, and exciting off-season of refreshment, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC kick off the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign.
Starting at home for an eleventh consecutive MLS season, City open against Philadelphia Union for the first time after our crushing 2024 Eastern Conference Final defeat to New York Red Bulls back in November. Continue reading
As we approach our 2025 MLS home opener against Philadelphia Union on February 22, the Orlando City SC Front Office continues to work tirelessly to strengthen the squad. After securing ready-made reinforcements in Marco Pašalić and Eduard Atuesta over the past two weeks, our latest target is reportedly young Uruguayan talent Agustín Soria.
Yesterday, journalist Guille López (@glopezferraro) tweeted that Orlando City SC have formalised an offer for the 20-year-old midfielder from Defensor Sporting, following an initial proposal that was deemed insufficient. With a $6 million release clause, Orlando City SC’s persistence signals their commitment to landing the promising youngster. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
(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. Continue reading
This past week, we asked Orlando City SC supporters on X to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2024 as part of our annual Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.
A public vote designed to recognise the standout Orlando City SC players in our promising, yet ultimately unfruitful 2024 campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you! Continue reading
After Monday rumours of Martín Ojeda joining Boca Juniors, another transfer has now been made official with Orlando City SC’s Gastón González joining Uruguayan giants Nacional on a one-year loan with an option to buy.
Quickly reuniting with Mauricio Pereyra who re-joined Nacional back in December, González has failed to hit the ground running at Inter&Co Stadium. Limited to a bit-part role under Oscar Pareja, the 22-year-old has only made seven Major League Soccer starts and tallied just 712 minutes following his May 2022 arrival from Unión de Santa Fe and subsequent spell on the sidelines with a long-term cruciate ligament injury. Continue reading
Orlando City SC have today announced the marquee signing of two-time MLS Cup champion and CONCACAF Champions League winner Nicolás Lodeiro after the attacking midfielder departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.
Signing a contract through 2024 with an option for 2025, Lodeiro won’t occupy a Designated Player slot at Inter&Co Stadium despite his proven calibre. Ultimately, the 34-year-old MLS veteran now fills the void left by fellow Uruguayan number 10 Mauricio Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years in Central Florida before mutually terminating his City contract and returning to Nacional in December. Continue reading
North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted today that Orlando City SC are finalising a deal to sign two-time MLS Cup winning attacking midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro after he departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.
After Mauricio Pereyra mutually terminated his contract with City on December 6 before re-joining Nacional shortly after, experienced fellow Uruguayan Lodeiro now adequately fills the void left by Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years at Inter&Co Stadium. Continue reading
Orlando City SC‘s MLS Secondary Transfer Window has really heated up with Jhegson Méndez departing Exploria Stadium for Los Angeles FC today.
City have acquired $300,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money from LAFC for “Sebas” who joined the Lions in 2019 and made 72 MLS appearances. Continue reading
Here at Orlando City UK, we’re spending the Christmas vacation scanning Twitter for news of any new arrivals at Orlando City SC this off-season.
Heavily linked with Facundo Torres since early December, Orlando City SC are also reportedly interested in signing Gastón González, Brian Ocampo, and Martín Ojeda. Continue reading
