Orlando City Signs Brazilian Forward Tiago as MLS U22 Initiative Player

Orlando City has signed 20-year-old winger Tiago Souza de Jesus Carvalho (commonly referred to as Tiago) from Esporte Clube Bahia in Brazil’s top flight to an MLS U22 Initiative contract, the club announced today. Tiago joins on a three-year U22 Initiative deal through 2027-2028 with an option for 2028-2029. The club did not disclose details of the transaction, with Tom Bogert of The Athletic reporting the fee to be $4 million.

“Tiago brings energy and versatility to our attack,” Orlando City SC General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He’s dangerous in one-on-one situations, can play across the front line and combines speed with creativity to unlock defenses. His work rate and tactical awareness fit perfectly with our style, and we’re excited about the dimension he’ll add to our offense.” 

The young Brazilian came up through Bahia’s academy and made his debut with the first team in February of 2023. He played 892 minutes across 25 matches (five starts) with Bahia in Serie A in 2025, scoring three goals and adding two assists. He put eight of his 18 shots on target, passing at a 79.4% success rate with 83.3% long ball accuracy and eight key passes. In 2025, Tiago helped Bahia win the Campeonato Baiano and the Copa do Nordeste (cup of the north-east), winning the golden boot in the latter competition with six goals.

What It Means for Orlando City

Just because Tiago wore No. 77 with Bahia and plays left wing doesn’t mean he’s replacing Ivan Angulo. However, he could be replacing Angulo at some point. There has been a scoring imbalance in Orlando’s attack for some time. The Lions can attack up either wing, but only on the right have the goals really been coming. Angulo scored five goals in 2023 and again in 2024 but he provided no goals in 2025 despite having more breakaway opportunities than ever. Tyrese Spicer was brought in to provide offense, and he did so, providing two goals and two assists against MLS competition in the late stages of the season and playoffs.

Tiago would likely be expected to see significant minutes with a $4 million pricetag, but he can also play up top, so it remains to be seen where the Lions plan to use him. If he’s a left wing, the club will have unprecedented depth at that position unless Orlando City moves either Angulo or Spicer this off-season. Tiago will likely be expected to get minutes as the club tries to develop his game to either re-sign when his time as a U22 Initiative player is up or sell him on for a profit later.

As for the club’s MLS U22 Initiative slots, Tiago joins Nico Rodriguez, but there have been several credible reports that Orlando City is also finalizing a deal to add Brazilian central midfielder Luis Otavio, which would fill the three slots. The Lions reportedly were also considering transitioning Alex Freeman into an MLS U22 Initiative slot, so something would have to give. That could be Rodriguez, who has a salary seemingly low enough ($180,000 base, $200,500 in total guaranteed compensation) to transfer out of one of those slots.

The Brazilian will require an international slot.