Orlando City GM Paul McDonough Confirms Paulo André Transfer

Remember on Jan. 22, when we told you about the rumor that Orlando City SC had been linked with a move for defender Paulo André? Well, it’s happening.

That rumor now is as solid as the Carlos Rivas, Cristian Higuita and Martin Paterson rumors turned out to be. Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel reports that André is in town, finalizing his deal for a move to the Lions. The Sentinel piece quotes Orlando City General Manager Paul McDonough confirming the transaction.

“We do have Paulo André in the city,” McDonough said. “He is undergoing a medical this morning in hopes of finalizing contract negotiations.”

While the club has not released an official announcement about André, a quote from the GM in the Sentinel is about as solid as it gets.

The 31-year-old center back will provide competition with Gustavo for playing time alongside Aurelien Collin, in front of youngsters Tommy Redding and Conor Donovan.

André played 23 matches with Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese league last season, starting 22 games and logging 1,904 minutes. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Brazilian played five seasons in his native country’s top flight, Serie A, for Corinthians.

He was a member of Corinthians sides that won the Brazilian Serie A in 2011 and both the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup in 2012. His performance in Brazil in 2011 earned him the Silver Ball at his position. His sides also won the Campeonato Paulista and Recopa Sudamericana in 2013.

In addition, André played 31 games in France’s top flight, Ligue 1, with Le Mans back in 2008-09.

Tenorio also reported that André will not be on a designated player contract, and that the club does not expect to make additional signings before the season.

Here’s a look at the Brazilian defender’s highlights from a few years back: