Orlando City has made no secret of which players they hope to bring from their USL PRO regular-season championship squad to MLS in 2015, and a deal appears imminent with one veteran of the Lions' successful run.
English left back Luke Boden told the Orlando Sentinel this week that contract negotiations are "all done now. Hopefully I'll sign it this week."
Boden was one of three players, along with 20-year-old Senegalese winger Adama Mbengue and 18-year-old English midfielder Harrison Heath (both players who progressed from Orlando City's U-23 team) with whom Orlando City announced they were negotiating MLS contracts.
Orlando City have seven other players already under contract for 2015: Designated Player Kaká, USL PRO MVP Kevin Molino, El Salvador international Darwin Cerén, former Benfica youngsters Estrela and Rafael Ramos, and US youth internationals Tommy Redding and Tyler Turner, both defenders.
A native of Sheffield, England, Boden – who will turn 26 in November – made his debut in the English Championship at the age of 17 in 2006. He joined Orlando City in 2011 and was named an all-USL PRO selection this year.
Married to a Floridian, Boden will not occupy an international roster slot when Orlando City join MLS.
