Orlando City has announced the acquisition of midfielder Oriol Rosell from Portuguese side Sporting CP.
In order to sign Rosell, Orlando sent $400,000 in targeted allocation money to FC Dallas to move up to the No. 1 spot in the allocation order.
Rosell, 25, was a key member of Sporting Kansas City from 2012 to 2014, helping the club to a 2013 MLS Cup title before being sold to Sporting CP the following year.
“Uri brings many attributes to our midfield. He is a proven MLS midfielder with great vision and outstanding passing abilities to contribute offensively and defensively to the team,” Orlando City general manager Niki Budalic said in a club release. “We’re excited to have him join the team.”
Rosell made just 22 total appearances with Sporting in three-and-a-half years, spending time on loan with fellow Portuguese sides Vitoria Guimarães SC, CF Belenenses and most recently with Portimonense SC.
The holding midfielder came up through Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, and signed with Sporting KC from Barcelona B in 2012.
