Lion Links: 12/11/25

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It may not be snowing, but the cooler weather has been helping me get in the festive spirit. While things remain a bit busy as the holiday season wears on, I’ve thankfully been able to enjoy some moments of peace here and there and finally accomplished my reading goal for the year. But enough about me, let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Trades Dagur Dan Thorhallsson

Dagur Dan Thorhallsson was traded to CF Montreal on Wednesday, with Orlando City receiving a hefty sum of $500,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange. Orlando will retain a sell-on percentage and could also receive an additional $125,000 in GAM if performance metrics are met. Thorhallsson has played the past three seasons in Orlando and has been a Swiss Army knife of sorts for the Lions, helping the team reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2024. This amount of GAM is nothing to sneeze at and should give Orlando some flexibility when it comes to constructing its roster for next season. Orlando fans might see Thorhallsson in action again as soon as March 14 when the Lions host Montreal, although it will be weird not seeing him in purple.

Keeping Up With Orlando City Transfer News

According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic ($), the Lions are reportedly finalizing a deal for Brazilian winger Tiago to join from Bahia for a $4 million transfer fee. The 20-year-old has done well when on the field for Bahia in Brazil’s top flight and had a hat trick in the Copa do Nordeste final. Hopefully he can make an impact as an MLS U22 Initiative winger in Orlando.

Another interesting bit of news is that Orlando is reportedly close to transferring center back Rodrigo Schlegel to Atlas in Liga MX for a fee around $600,000, which is higher than what the Lions paid to sign him. The times definitely seem to be changing in the City Beautiful. Bogert also noted that Orlando’s $3.5 million deal for 18-year-old midfielder Luis Otavio is still on, and that the club is interested in moving on from Designated Player Luis Muriel.

MLS Players Stand Out With USMNT

Orlando City defender Alex Freeman is one of many MLS players who have made a strong case for being included on the United States Men’s National Team’s roster for next year’s World Cup. The 21-year-old was named MLS Young Player of the Year and is competing for a starting spot with the USMNT. Max Arfsten, Diego Luna, and Cristian Roldan are all in contention as well, and it’s been nice to see Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino give MLS players chances to shine.

NWSL Transfer News Roundup

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher agreed to a new contract with the Chicago Stars, signing a one-year contract. The 37-year-old has been with Chicago for the past 10 years and she is one of three active players who have been in the league since its inaugural season in 2013.

The North Carolina Courage signed Nigerian forward Chioma Okafor to a three-year contract through 2028 with an option for 2029. She helped Nigeria win the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations and just finished her collegiate career with the University of Connecticut, where she scored 30 goals over 57 appearances. Speaking of collegiate players joining the league, NJ/NY Gotham FC signed forward Talia Sommer, who recorded 28 goals and 24 assists over the past four years with Butler.

Free Kicks

• Thorhallsson isn’t the only player CF Montreal has been wheeling and dealing for. The club sent $1.2 million in GAM to Real Salt Lake for defender Brayan Vera, with another $350,000 in GAM heading RSL’s way if performance metrics are met.
• Houston Dash defender Katie Lind announced her retirement from professional soccer after a career that included 193 appearances across all competitions.
• The United Super League is reportedly proposing a $55,000 minimum salary that would increase in future years as part of the collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the league and the USL Players Association.
• If you’re intending to visit a World Cup host city next summer, make sure to plan accordingly for obscene price gouging.

• Arsenal remained perfect in its UEFA Champions League campaign after beating Club Brugge 3-0. Elsewhere, Manchester City won 2-1 against Real Madrid, Napoli fell 2-0 to Benfica, and Newcastle United battled to a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
• Tatjana Haenni, who was the NWSL’s chief sporting director from 2023 until May of this year, will oversee Leipzig’s men’s and women’s teams as the club’s new chief executive.
• Former Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini was announced as the new head coach and general manager of the Halifax Wanderers.

That’s all I have for you all this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!