Orlando City Signs Academy Defender Zakaria Taifi to MLS NEXT Pro Contract

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed academy player Zakaria Taifi to an MLS NEXT Pro contract to play with the club’s reserve side, Orlando City B. The 18-year-old defender inked a two-year deal running through the 2025 season.

“Taifi is a player that grew up in our academy system and someone that truly loves this club,” Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He had to step up at an early age and has shown himself to be a leader, helping push the academy’s U-17 team to the MLS NEXT Cup final in 2021 and ultimately winning the championship. We’ve seen his character and work ethic in training every day, continuing to devote time to his own development and that of his teammates, and we’re excited to see him continue that and build on his bright future with this club.”

Taifi joined Orlando City’s development academy in 2015, working his way up through the age groups, first joining OCB on Aug. 20, 2022. He was on the bench four times that season without making an appearance. He had a bigger role with the Young Lions last season, making 23 appearances with 10 starts for 1,118 minutes and recording an assist. The center back/fullback made his debut in the season opener at Philadelphia Union II on March 26 and was an unused substitute in the team’s second-ever playoff game.

The teenager joined the first team in January, taking part in the club’s international friendly against Flamengo. He came on in the 79th minute for starting right back Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, helping to see out the 1-1 draw.

“My boyhood club since I was 9 and I am so blessed to be on the field in this amazing stadium, playing for the first time with a full crowd with my family watching me in the stands is a moment I will truly never forget,” Taifi said on X (formerly Twitter) after the game. “The journey is just beginning.”

The signing means the defender has decided not to attend the University of Portland. He signed a letter of intent on Nov. 14, 2023 to play at the university, where former Orlando City Homegrown forward Benji Michel went to school. This deal is strictly an MLS NEXT Pro contract rather than a Homegrown deal. However, Orlando City has his MLS rights, as he came through the academy, ensuring the club can sign him to an MLS deal in the future if he reaches that level.