Orlando City Signs Swiss Right Back Scott Sutter

Orlando City announced it has signed right back Scott Sutter, pending an International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa. The signing comes on the heels of injuries to fullbacks Rafael Ramos, Kevin Alston, and Tony Rocha.

Sutter joins the Lions from BSC Young Boys, where he has played since 2009. The 30-year-old defender made 32 appearances this season for the Swiss Super League side, accumulating one goal and two assists in the Swiss Super League, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League.

“We are very happy to have secured Scott’s signature,” Orlando City General Manager Niki Budalic said through a club press release. “He has great European and international experience that will strengthen our defensive core this season.”

A native of London, England, the 5-foot-11 Sutter bounced around the academies at Millwall, Barnet, Aston Villa, and Charlton Athletic before joining the Grasshopper academy in Switzerland in 2003 at 16 years of age. He made his professional debut for Grasshopper at 18 before moving to Young Boys in 2009.

Holding passports in England through birth and Switzerland through his father, Sutter made two appearances for the Swiss senior national team in 2010. He will take up an international spot once he joins the team, which will necessitate a roster move or the acquisition of an international slot. Alicia DelGallo of the Orlando Sentinel reported today that the roster move could come today.

Further roster movement is expected to later today. Orlando City is slated to waive David Mateos, according to a league source. Mateos has not participated in preseason training and Kreis has previously stated the defender has no future with the club.

DelGallo also reported that Ramos will be placed on the disabled list, which will allow the club an additional roster spot temporarily. Players are put on the disabled list if they are to miss six or more games, and Ramos is expected to miss at least six weeks with a pair of hamstring injuries.

Ramos spent much of the 2016 season sidelined due to injury. Both Ramos and Alston have been sidelined for several weeks after suffering hamstring injuries during preseason. Rocha, who was slotted in at fullback this preseason, was injured in the final preseason friendly against Saint Louis FC.