Orlando City acquire F Luis Muriel from Italian league

Orlando City SC acquired Colombian forward Luis Muriel on Thursday and signed him to a three-year contract through the 2026 season.

Muriel will fill a designated player roster spot. He most recently played for Atalanta BC of Italy's Serie A TIM.

"We are very excited to welcome Luis to Orlando. Whenever he's on the field, he's a player that is known to always be a threat to score, will force defenses to account for him at all times, and has the ability to combine with and make his teammates better," Orlando general manager Luiz Muzzi said in a news release. "His accolades and statistics over his career thus far speak for themselves. He's someone that we feel will help us take the next step in our pursuit to win trophies, not only this season but in the future as well."

Muriel, 32, previously played for Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja with Colombia's Deportivo Cali.

Between pro clubs in South America and Europe, Muriel has made 471 appearances with 151 goals and 73 assists.

After the 2020-21 season, Muriel was named to the Serie A Team of the Year when he tallied 22 goals and nine assists in league play.

"I am very excited and happy to be here, to live the atmosphere that is this city of the team and with a lot of desire to get started," Muriel said. "I had various offers when Oscar Pareja and Orlando called me. I made this decision when looking at the development of this Club, the players here and the desires of everyone to win titles. All were things that went into my decision."

He also has made 51 appearances for Colombia's National Team, scoring 12 goals since making his senior international debut in 2012.

—Field Level Media