Orlando City has filled out its final Designated Player slot for 2024.
Luis Muriel has joined the Lions on a three-year contract through 2026, the club announced. The 32-year-old makes the move from Serie A side Atalanta, where he spent the last five seasons at.
We are very excited to welcome Luis to Orlando,” Orlando’s EVP of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi said in a release. “Whenever he’s on the field, he’s a player that is known to always be a threat to score, will force defenses to account for him at all times, and has the ability to combine with and make his teammates better.
“His accolades and statistics over his career thus far speak for themselves,” Muzzi added. “He’s someone that we feel will help us take the next step in our pursuit to win trophies, not only this season but in the future as well.”
Muriel has totaled 151 goals and 73 assists in 471 appearances across all competitions. Majority of his career has been spent in Italy, with additional stops in Spain and his native Colombia.
He’s earned 45 caps for the Colombian national team, netting eight goals in those appearances.
Here is a closer look at the recent of the recent MLS News:
Fire transfers Kacper Przybylko to FC Lugano
Kacper Przybylko will not be a part of the Chicago Fire’s plans for 2024.
Przybylko has been transferred to Swiss Super League side FC Lugano, both clubs announced. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Fire after arriving from the Philadelphia Union in a trade.
He struggled in Chicago, totaling only eight goals in 50 league appearances.
“Kacper will be an important addition for our partner club FC Lugano,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “It’s no secret that we have been planning to move Kacper prior to the start of the 2024 season. This transfer will provide additional reinforcements for FC Lugano while also providing Kacper with an opportunity to play in a competitive European league.”
He totaled 35 goals and 14 assists in 83 appearances for the Union across three seasons following his move from Europe.
The Fire opens their 2024 MLS schedule against the Union on Feb. 24.
Nashville SC signs forward Woobens Pacius
Nashville SC added attacking help ahead of the 2024 season.
Woobens Pacius joined the Eastern Conference side on a two-year deal from Canadian Premier League side Forge FC, the club announced. His contract also includes two option years for 2026 and 2027.
“Woobens is a center forward who has already demonstrated the ability to finish scoring chances,” Nashville SC general manager Mike Jacobs said of Pacius. “He fits the profile we look for in an attacking player, and we are excited to see him take his next steps in his career here in Nashville.”
Pacius led Forge with 32 goals in 93 appearances across all competitions over the past three seasons.
He now joins a Nashville SC attack led by Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge.
Charlotte FC elevates Nikola Petkovic to first-team roster
Nikola Petkovic is making the move to Charlotte FC’s MLS roster.
The Eastern Conference club elevated Petkovic from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Crown Legacy FC. He signed a three-year contract with Charlotte FC through the 2026 season, which includes an option year for 2027.
“Nikola is an exciting player and rising international talent that we were able to bring into our system last season with Crown Legacy FC,” general manager Zoran Krneta said in a release.
“He is a prime example of our strategic approach to MLS NEXT Pro. Identifying young, talented players and giving them the necessary time to adapt to our organization and life in Charlotte is a priority.”
Petkovic scored three goals and added four assists in 13 MLS NEXT Pro appearances last season for Jose Tavares’ squad. His lone cap with his native Serbia came against the U.S. men’s national team in 2023.
Quick Kicks:
- Minnesota United loaned defender Mikael Marques to Swedish Allsvenskan side Vasteras for the 2024 year, the club announced. Marques mainly featured for MNUFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro last season.
- The Philadelphia Union loaned homegrown defender Brandan Craig to USL side El Paso Locomotive for the 2024 season. Craig, a former U.S. under-20 men’s national team standout, did not feature for Austin FC last season while on loan there.
- Austin FC signed veteran defender Brendan Hines-Ike to a one-year deal for 2024. Hines-Ike logged 45 appearances over three seasons with DC United since making his move to MLS from Europe.
- Connor Antley made the move to MLS on Wednesday, joining DC United on a two-year deal from USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies. Antley made 142 combined appearances for the Rowdies, South Georgia Tormenta, and Indy Eleven.
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