Orlando City Signs Brazilian Left Back Victor “PC” Giro to Four-Year Deal

Orlando City has added depth at fullback with the signing of Brazilian left back Victor Pagliari Giro – known more commonly as ‘PC’ – to a four-year deal. The deal is pending his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

PC, 22, may be familiar to Orlando City fans. It was his goal for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in the final minute of extra time that ousted the Lions from the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In addition to playing left back, PC can also play midfield or wing.

“He is a young, energetic and skillful player that will give us creativity and versatility up the left side,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said of PC in a club press release.

The Sao Paulo native joins his third Florida team, having played with both Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League (NASL) last season. He joined the Rowdies midway through the 2016 season, scoring one goal and adding an assist in 14 games with Tampa Bay, following 46 appearances with the Strikers. He scored eight goals with four assists during his time in Ft. Lauderdale.

The newest Lion came up in professional soccer with Brazilian Serie A giants Corinthians. PC was in the Corinthians system from 2013 and 2015 before signing with the Strikers on loan in 2015.  

PC’s late goal against Orlando City that proved to be a 2-1 game winner wasn’t without controversy. Then-coach Adrian Heath was livid that the Strikers were permitted to take their free kick 15 to 20 yards further up the pitch than where a foul was committed. Strikers keeper Diego Restrepo kept his team in the match despite a lopsided shot total in a match where both teams went down a man after a 67^th-minute brawl saw Kevin Molino and Maicon Santos each sent off.

With Donny Toia and Rafael Ramos the only true fullbacks on Orlando City’s roster, this move for a young left back with a couple of years of professional experience in the U.S. seems like a good signing by the Lions.