TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Orlando City SC have signed midfielder Jordan Bender to a Homegrown deal, the club announced Thursday. He is the club's seventh all-time Homegrown signing and second this offseason.
Bender, 18, was an academy standout and made 16 appearances for Orlando City B in USL League One. He initially joined the club's pre-academy at age 12 and has been involved with the US youth national team.
“Jordan’s journey is the blueprint of exactly how we envision the pathway and future of the Orlando City SC development pyramid,” EVP of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi said in a club statement. “As a player who started in our Academy, made his way to OCB and has now signed with our MLS team, Orlando City is in his blood. He has also trained and played in preseason games with the First Team, so he understands what it takes to succeed in MLS. We are extremely excited about the potential and upside that Jordan possesses and we look forward to him continuing to grow within our organization.”
Orlando City have now signed three players this offseason, all 21-years-old or younger. Bender follows fellow Homegrown David Loera and Colombian U-20 midfielder Andres Perea.
Under new head coach Oscar Pareja, Orlando are intent on qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history. Their roster continues to undergo a transition from 2018, with a number of key players like Sacha Kljestan, Lamine Sane and others moving on.
