By Daily Sports on November 27, 2021
Nani has announced that he will be leaving Orlando City SC after three seasons with the Major League Soccer side. The ex-Manchester United and Portugal star had served as captain for Orlando, helping the team reach the playoffs twice and to the final of the MLS is Back tournament in 2020.
Nani’s announcement comes days after Orlando lost to Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. Since joining Orlando in 2019, he tallied 28 goals and 23 assists across 77 games (64 starts). The winger was also a two-time MLS All-Star.
“Orlando is a city I can call home, with great people and fantastic supporters, but my contract has ended and there was a decision by the club not to extend it,” Nani wrote on Twitter. “It was an honor captaining the club for its first-ever playoff appearances and reaching the final of the MLS is Back Tournament.
“I shall never forget how the fans and community supported me and my family ever since the moment we arrived in Florida. You will have in me a friend and a fan for the future. I wish you all the best.”
Nani’s departure opens a coveted Designated Player spot for Orlando. The Lions will have two DP spots open, with Mauricio Pereyra the only one on the roster. The team could see further roster upheaval as Daryl Dike continues to gain interest from clubs abroad. Chris Mueller is already confirmed to leave for Scottish side Hibernian.
“We want to thank Nani for the professionalism that he’s shown in his time in Orlando,” Orlando chairman Mark Wilf said in a release.
“Even in the short time since we’ve taken over as stewards of this great club, we have had great respect for Nani’s passion and abilities, while he led us as captain. We wish him the best moving forward.”
The 2022 MLS season kicks off in February. (ESPN)
•PHOTO: Nani
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 27, 2021
You may also like...
PL Player Of The Month: Haaland Axed!
Five Tasks Facing Barcelona’s New Coach
I’m not Eagles No.1 keeper – Nwabali
El-Kanemi down Heartland 3-0 in Maiduguri
Man City Must Tighten Up At The Back,...
Pogba and Rashford give Solskjaer seventh straight Man...
100 golfers storm Uyo for Ladies Golf Championship
Fernandez keen to make mark with Eagles
Individual awards race heats up at NCF T20i
Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame returns Saturday
Ikeja Golf Club captain bows out in style
NSC warns against conflict in NBBF elections
Team Nigeria chases World Champs spot in Botswana
Igali vows thrills at 4th National Wrestling Classics
Okpala backs Chelle’s contract demand
Lagos sets up LOC for National Intermediate Games
D’Tigress to face Los Angeles Sparks in US tour
Family seeks NSC, NFF support for Nwosu’s burial
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,652 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,977 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,893 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,504 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,426 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,331 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,197 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,739 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,927 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,436 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,837 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,309 views)