Orlando City Signs Left Back Adrian Marin from Portuguese Side Braga

Orlando City bolstered the left back position today with the signing of Spanish youth international Adrian Marin who has been with Braga in Portugal’s top flight since 2023. Marin comes to Orlando on a deal through 2026 with a club option for 2027. His availability is pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and international transfer certificate (ITC). He will wear No. 21 for Orlando City this season.

“Adrián is an experienced and versatile defender who adds quality, consistency and tactical flexibility to our back line with his ability to play both fullback and center back roles,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He’s competed at a high level in one of Europe’s top leagues and brings the type of leadership and composure we value on and off the pitch. We’ve been following Adrián’s career for several years and are thrilled to seize this opportunity to strengthen our team by welcoming him to Orlando.” 

The 28-year-old native of Torre-Pacheco, Spain, came up through Villarreal’s system, has spent time throughout his professional career with such clubs as Alaves and Granada, and has represented his country internationally at the U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 levels.

In 10 matches during the 2024-2025 season with Braga, Marin appeared in 10 games (8 starts) and played 714 minutes, providing two assists, creating six chances and completing two crosses. In 212 career matches across all competitions, Marin has scored six goals and added six assists.

Marin isn’t a big goal scorer. His best season came in 2021-2022, when he found the net four times while playing on loan from Granada with F.C. Famalicão in Portugal.

What It Means for Orlando City

Marin fills a big need for the Lions. Center back David Brekalo has deputized competently at left back for much of this season after Rafael Santos and Kyle Smith have failed to make that position their own in 2025. Santos has had periods of strong play, particularly in the second halves of seasons since his arrival, but he has not seen much playing time of late, and it doesn’t appear that Oscar Pareja has a lot of confidence in the Brazilian, at least on the defensive end.

If Marin can come in and take the left back position, it will give Orlando more depth at center back by allowing either Brekalo or Rodrigo Schlegel to be the option off the bench in case of injury or suspension — the latter situation being a common occurrence for OCSC center backs. It will also make the Orlando attack be less one-handed, as currently Brekalo rarely gets forward and the team must rely on Alex Freeman on the right to facilitate combination play up the flank. Having someone on the left who can do the same could pay dividends for Marco Pasalic, who can cut inside, receive a pass from the left, and take quicker shots without having to try to beat multiple defenders right to left across the top of the penalty area.

Marin’s versatility to be able to fill in at center back also provides depth, in case Pareja decides to stick with Brekalo at left back through the end of 2025. Since the Slovenian’s insertion into the lineup, the veteran coach has seemed most comfortable using Brekalo in that spot almost exclusively.