OFFICIAL: Atalanta striker Luis Muriel signs for Orlando City

Orlando City announced Thursday the signing of Colombian international and Atalanta striker Luis Muriel for three seasons. "I am very excited and happy to be here and to experience the atmosphere that is this city," the striker said in a statement.

"I had several offers when Oscar Pareja and Orlando called me. I made this decision when I saw the development of this club, the players who are here and everyone's desire to win titles," he added.

His compatriot Oscar Pareja is the coach of this team led on the field by Uruguayan Facundo Torres, who in 2022 won the US Open Cup and in the 2023 season finished second in the East in the regular phase.

However, their strong performance in 2023 only took them as far as the East semi-finals in the MLS Cup playoff, where they lost 2-0 to a Columbus Crew side that would eventually go on to win the tournament.

Orlando City's MLS rivals are Inter Miami led by Lionel Messi with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also in the squad.

With extensive experience in Italian and Spanish football, Muriel, 32, has scored 151 goals and 73 assists in 471 professional appearances. With the Colombian national team, he has made 51 appearances in which he scored 12 goals.

"We are very excited to welcome Luis to Orlando. Wherever he is on the field, he is a player who is known for always being a scoring threat," said Luiz Muzzi, who is the Florida team's general manager.

 

February 15, 2024