Orlando City signs Danny Deakin, Acquires Moussa Sane on Loan, and Waives David Mateos

Orlando City SC has had a very busy day. Just hours after announcing the acquisition of right back Scott Sutter, the club announced more moves ahead of the 2017 MLS season. The Lions have signed midfielder/forward Danny Deakin and acquired forward Moussa Sane on loan, pending an International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa. In addition, the club has also waived defender David Mateos.

Deakin is Orlando City’s lone pick from the 2017 MLS Super Draft. The 23-year-old native of Sheffield, England, has impressed coaches this preseason, and is just the third Lion drafted after the second round to earn an MLS contract. If Deakin stays with Orlando City he will take up an international spot, however he will likely be loaned down to OCB for the entire 2017 season. If that is the case than he will not take up the intentional spot.

Sane is a 20-year-old forward with experience in the Senegal youth international system. He is on loan from AS Dakar Sacré Sœur of the Senegalese first division, and will provide added depth up top. Sane has also been part of the Montverde Academy and is a former trialist with New York City FC. He adds depth at a position of need.

“We’re excited to boost our squad with Danny and Moussa," Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said in a club press release. "Moussa is a young player with a lot of potential that can play as a striker or attacking midfielder, and Danny has impressed us since his arrival and we look forward to seeing how he progresses with the team."

Orlando City freed up an international spot — presumably for Sutter — by waiving Mateos. Head Coach Jason Kreis has said that Mateos has no future with the club, and the Lions were looking to move him as quickly as possible. With no teams willing to trade for him, Orlando City has waived the center back. Per a club spokesman, Mateos’ contract was the club’s one permitted buyout for the 2017 season, so his salary will not count against the team’s cap in 2017.

Mateos earned $453,333.33 in 2016, per the MLS Players’ Association salary release last fall.

Deakin played 20 matches in 2016 with the University of South Carolina, recording seven goals and six assists for the Gamecocks — finishing second on the team in goals and first in assists. For his performance, he was named First Team All-Conference USA for the second straight season. He spent part of the season with the National Premier Soccer League’s Detroit City FC, where he scored one goal and had two assists over nine matches.

In 2015, the midfielder/forward started all 21 matches and scored 11 goals with South Carolina. He also amassed a handful of honors, as First-Team All-Conference USA, First-Team NSCAA All-Southeast Region, C-USA Academic Honor Roll, and 2015 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.