Transfer Rumor: Swansea’s Leon Britton Linked with Move to MLS, Orlando City

A report has surfaced today from Wales Online about a potential move to Major League Soccer for Swansea midfielder Leon Britton.

In the report, Britton states that there has been dialogue with MLS clubs about a potential move across the pond. While no firm offers have been made, Orlando City is reported to have inquired about the veteran central midfielder’s services, although the report does not indicate if OCSC’s interest was reported elsewhere or who it is “understood” by.

The Swans stalwart has been linked with a move to America, following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, with Orlando City understood to have made an enquiry for his services.

The Lions, being one of the hot new franchises in MLS, have been tenuously linked with several European players in recent months without much reason, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, Luís Fabiano and Andrea Pirlo, among others.

According to Wales Online, Britton opted to forgo Swansea’s preseason tour in Germany after manager Garry Monk told him that there was little chance that he would feature for Swans on the trip.

Britton himself acknowledged that a move Stateside would appeal both from a soccer standpoint and in terms of lifestyle.

“I have to evaluate my options and see what is on the table. I have a young family and America would be a great experience in terms of football and lifestyle.

“But I do not want to rule out staying with Swansea or another club. I cannot make a decision until I have firm offers on the table.”

Britton is buried on the depth chart in a crowded midfield at Swansea, and with only a few good years left in his career the Englishman is not keen to spend his twilight years watching from the sidelines.

In his 12 years at Swansea, Britton has made nearly 500 appearances for the club, but knee issues, combined with increased competition in the midfield, saw him make just nine league appearances in the 2014-15 campaign.

As for how Britton would fit in with this Orlando City side, the potential move would not appear to make much sense for the Lions. Britton is a defensive midfielder who works to influence the flow of play in the center of the pitch. He is not a midfield destroyer, nor is he a deep-lying play maker, but he is reliable and contributes to defensive control in the midfield.

Orlando has a pair of reliable central midfielders already in Cristian Higuita and Darwin Cerén, who have been playing very well in 2015 after entering the season as relatively unknown quantities. Amobi Okugo is also around to provide depth and support, although the former Philadelphia Union man seems to have fallen out of favor a bit in recent months.

Behind them, Lewis Neal has also seen time and performed well in the position, and the Lions have young Harrison Heath and Estrela for depth, although it was revealed Thursday afternoon that Harrison Heath will miss six to eight weeks after sustaining a knee injury in last night’s friendly.

Given Orlando’s current situation at Britton’s position and the fact that he’s aging and dealing with a recent knee injury, this rumor doesn’t seem like one to put much stock into.