Lion Links: 12/29/25

Hello, Mane Landers!  I hope you all have been doing well and enjoying time with family and friends for the holidays down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work while trying to catch some soccer matches when I can. There is plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Signs Luis Otavio to MLS U22 Initiative Contract

Orlando City announced Friday that the club signed Brazilian midfielder Luis Otavio from Sport Club Internacional to an MLS U22 Initiative contract through the 2027-2028 season with a club option for 2028-2029. The club did not disclose the transfer fee, but Tom Bogert of The Athletic has reported the fee to be $3.5 million. The 18-year-old winger came through Internacional’s youth team and made his first-team debut in October 2024 as a substitute in a win over Gremio. Otavio made 24 appearances for Internacional in Brazil’s Serie A over the last two seasons. He also made two additional appearances in the 2025 Campeonato Gaucho state league. Otavio is a defensive midfielder and is expected to hit the ground running and compete for minutes for the upcoming season.

Lions Reportedly Negotiating Loan Move for Nico Rodriguez

Orlando City and Colombian side Atletico Nacional have reportedly been in negotiations on a deal to loan winger Nico Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has reportedly given his approval, and the two clubs are said to be in advanced negotiations. If this comes to pass, the winger would be loaned to Atletico Nacional for one year with a purchase option, and the two clubs have reportedly reached an agreement.

The purchase option fee is reported to be $1.6 million, and the two sides have reportedly begun exchanging documentation. If the loan deal is finalized, Rodriguez would be available to join his new club by the end of the week, freeing up an MLS U22 Initiative slot for the Lions.

MLS Transfer News Roundup

The Chicago Fire have signed midfielder Robin Lod on a contract through June 2028. CF Montreal has reached an agreement with forward Prince Owusu on a contract extension through the 2027-2028 season with options for 2028-2029 and 2029-2030. Minnesota United acquired Tomas Chancalay in a cash-for-player trade with the New England Revolution. In exchange, the Revolution will receive $100,000 and retain a sell-on percentage if Chancalay is sold to a club outside MLS in the future. According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, CF Monterrey of Liga MX has reportedly agreed to a deal with FC Cincinnati to acquire winger Luca Orellano.

Lastly, Charlotte FC is reportedly close to adding midfielder Luca de la Torre.

Americans Abroad

It was another busy weekend for Americans in action in Europe. Christian Pulisic scored his 10th goal of the season across all competitions for AC Milan in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Hellas Verona. Weston McKennie played a full 90 minutes as Juventus beat Pisa 2-0 and has won three consecutive league matches. Patrick Agyemang scored on Boxing Day to record his sixth goal of the season as Derby County drew Birmingham City 1-1 on the road. Brenden Aaronson added an assist for Leeds United in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland. Austin Trusty played a full 90 minutes as Celtic defeated Livingston 4-2.

2025 African Cup of Nations Recap

The Africa Cup of Nations concluded its Matchday 2 group-stage matches in Morocco. In Friday’s matches, Mohammed Salah’s penalty kick helped Egypt edge South Africa 1-0. The Angola-Zimbabwe and Morocco-Mali matches both ended in 1-1 draws. The Zambia and Comoros match ended scoreless. On Saturday, Victor Osimhen scored as Nigeria defeated Tunisia 3-2 to take the lead in Group C, while Tanzania and Uganda fought to a 1-1 draw. The Senegal-Congo DR match also ended in a 1-1 draw, while Benin beat Botswana 1-0. In Sunday’s matches Algeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0, while Sudan beat Equatorial Guinea by the same scoreline. The Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Mozambique beat Gabon 3-2. Today’s matches kick off the final group stage matches in AFCON, featuring Angola facing Egypt, Zimbabwe facing South Africa, Comoros against Mali, and Zambia taking on Morocco.

Free Kicks

• In cased you missed it, Orlando City posted video of every club goal from the 2025 season.

• According to the Chosun Daily in South Korea, Orlando City’s pursuit of Brazilian forward Richarlison is still ongoing, but the Brazilian intends to stay at Tottenham Hotspur.
• Former Pride forward Amanda Allen has signed a two-year contract with Boston Legacy FC with a club option year. Allen will join her new team in January when the rest of the squad reports for preseason.
• Wolverhampton is reportedly considering signing Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge during the upcoming January transfer window.
• City Football Group announced Friday that it has divested its majority ownership stake in Indian Super League club Mumbai City FC.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.