Lion Links: 2/2/24

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I, for one, am exhausted and looking forward to a weekend of tiki drinks and sunshine to unwind. Before we dive into today’s links, let’s all wish a happy birthday to Orlando Pride midfielder Viviana Villacorta, who turns 25 today. Now, let’s get to the links!

Duncan McGuire Loaned to Blackburn Rovers

Forward Duncan McGuire is headed to Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan with an option to buy, ending what has been a whirlwind of a transfer saga. According to The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert, the fee for the loan is $700,000 and the purchase option has a hefty price tag of $7 million and $2.5 million more in add-ons.

That loan fee is nothing to sneeze at and the purchase option is more than what Blackburn agreed to pay in the deal the English club pulled out of. However, it’s fair to wonder if Blackburn will even be in a position to pay that, considering promotion is a pipe dream for the EFL Championship club this season.

This leaves Orlando’s striker position in a pretty rough spot with only weeks to go before the MLS season and Concacaf Champions Cup kick off. Reinforcements may be on the way if the club’s reported pursuit for Atalanta’s Luis Muriel comes to fruition, but it will be hard to replace the 15 goals McGuire contributed last year across all competitions.

Lions and Viking Reportedly Reach Deal for David Brekalo

In some more optimistic transfer news from a hectic deadline day, it looks like Orlando City finally reached an agreement with Norwegian club Viking FK for center back David Brekalo (translation needed). The reported transfer fee, according to Bogert, would be around $2.5 million and Orlando beat Blackburn’s late attempt at a coup to fill a needed hole on the back line. Orlando’s been negotiating with Viking for quite some time to secure Brekalo’s services in a rollercoaster of a saga. With Antonio Carlos in Brazil, Brekalo will pair up with Robin Jansson in the center of Orlando’s defense and should be a great addition to the team.

MLS Deadline Day Transfer News Roundup

Charlotte FC made a pair of big moves and its attack will look a bit different in 2024. Polish forward Karol Swiderski, who has scored double-digit goals for Charlotte the past two seasons, was loaned to Hellas Verona in Serie A through June 30, with an option to buy as well. Charlotte also transferred Kamil Jozwiak to Granada in La Liga, and both moves free up Designated Player spots.

In other MLS news, LAFC added Venezuelan forward David Martinez from Monagas SC. He turns 18 next week and will be a U22 Initiative player for LAFC, signing a deal through the 2027 season. The Colorado Rapids have brought in defensive midfielder Lamine Diack on a six-month loan from Nantes, the Seattle Sounders signed forward Danny Musovski as a free agent, and the Philadelphia Union re-signed midfielder Alejandro Bedoya. Sporting Kansas City signed Memo Rodriguez and Inter Miami traded Christopher McVey to D.C. United for an international roster spot and up to $100,000 in General Allocation Money. CF Montreal is also reportedly close to signing free agent forward and Orlando City nemesis Josef Martinez.

Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala Signs With Bay FC

Bay FC made a major signing ahead of its first season in the NWSL by signing Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona to a contract through 2026, with an option for 2027. The 29-year-old has scored 107 goals in 149 appearances for Barcelona, helping the club win the Women’s Champions League twice and the league title four times. She’s also been named African Player of the Year six times. Although I wished she was spearheading Orlando’s offense instead, it’s a major signing for the league as a whole.

Free Kicks

• The Orlando Pride’s Adriana and Rafaelle were called up by Brazil for the upcoming Concacaf W Gold Cup.

• Cardiff City signed American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on a permanent deal, which should help get him some needed minutes.
• American midfielder Paxten Aaronson was loaned from Eintracht Frankfurt to Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie.
• It’s just the preseason, but Inter Miami got blasted in a 6-0 loss to Al-Nassr that included a goal from downtown.

• Manchester United beat Wolverhampton 4-3 thanks to a late winner from 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo.

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend.