Orlando City Signs OCB Goalkeeper Javier Otero to Homegrown Player Contract

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed goalkeeper Javier Otero to a Homegrown Player contract. The former academy and current Orlando City B starting goalkeeper’s contract is through the 2024 MLS season with club options for 2025 and 2026.

“Javier is someone that we’ve seen show true talent and a willingness to work hard and keep developing his game at every level in our club,” Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s impressed us in training every day and has shown everyone what he’s capable of in MLS NEXT Pro. We’re excited to see him complete our development pathway to the first team and reward him with this opportunity.”

The 20-year-old Cumana, Venezuela native joined the Orlando City academy in 2017, initially playing at his high school before joining the Orlando City U-17 Development Academy team. He made his way through the U-19s and was promoted to OCB for the 2020 USL League One season, backing up 2020 second-round draft pick Austin Aviza.

When OCB returned to action in 2022 in the new MLS NEXT Pro league, Otero was the starter and has continued that role this season. In total, Otero has made 33 appearances for OCB over three seasons for 2,957 minutes and made 155 saves. He’s saved 71% of his shots faced in that time and recorded seven clean sheets. This season, Otero has made 15 starts, conceded 30 goals, made 46 saves (61%), and recorded three clean sheets.

In addition to his time with OCB, Otero has been called up to the first team on two occasions. The first was in June 2022 and this season from June 17-24 when Pedro Gallese was on international duty, backing up Mason Stajduhar on both ocassions. The young goalkeeper was called up to the Venezuelan national team earlier this season for their friendlies in the United States.

Otero is the 14th player in Orlando City history to be signed to a Homegrown contract and the first since Favian Loyola on Dec. 2, 2022. He’s the second goalkeeper to come through the academy and sign for the first team after Stajduhar did so on Nov. 9, 2015.

What This Means for Orlando City

Otero signing a Homegrown contract has been a matter of when, not if. The 20-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS NEXT Pro over the past two seasons and has outplayed older goalkeepers while with OCB. Last season, he led the third-division league in saves and is sixth in saves this year.

Orlando City’s third-choice goalkeeper, Adam Grinwis, is nearing the end of his one-year deal that he signed prior to last season, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Otero takes that role next season. In the meantime, Stajduhar will remain the team’s second-choice goalkeeper. Otero will likely play primarily with OCB next season, continuing to develop into what Orlando City hopes to be an eventual first-team starter.