Orlando City Re-Signs Midfielder Eduard Atuesta to New Contract

Orlando City announced today that the Lions have locked up central midfielder Eduard Atuesta through at least the 2028-2029 season with a new contract that includes a club option year for 2029-2030. Atuesta, 28, will turn 29 in June and is now under contract through at least age 32.

“This is an important move for our club as we continue shaping a squad built for sustained success,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club release. “Eduard brings a level of intelligence, composure, and leadership that defines how we want to play. His professionalism and influence on the group, both tactically and in the locker room, have been exceptional. We’re proud of the impact he’s made here in Orlando, and we look forward to him continuing to anchor our midfield for years to come.”

The Lions signed the Velez, Colombia native from Brazilian Serie A club Palmeiras on Feb. 10, 2025, inking the midfielder to a contract through last season with a club option for 2026. Orlando City exercised Atuesta’s option year at the end of the 2025 season.

Orlando’s acquisition of Atuesta played out publicly as a difficult one, with the club seemingly close to a deal at times, while at others there seemed to be sticking points about such details as whether it would be a sale or loan, how much (if any) of Atuesta’s salary Palmeiras would pay, and the size of the transfer fee. Orlando was limited in what it could spend at the time due to having to fit the player under the Designated Player threshold (salary plus transfer fee amortized over the length of the contract) and having all three Designated Player slots full. But like several other dealings with Brazilian sides over the years, the club ultimately got the deal over the finish line.

In his first season with the club, Atuesta played in three of the four competitions Orlando participated in, missing the U.S. Open Cup but appearing in the regular season, the MLS playoffs, and Leagues Cup. In MLS regular-season play, Atuesta appeared in 28 regular-season matches (25 starts) and played 2,271 minutes. He did not score a goal for the Lions, but he contributed seven assists. He attempted 28 shots and put seven on target. Atuesta completed 88% of his passes and was second on the team with 57 key passes. On the defensive side, he compiled 39 tackles, 22 interceptions, 31 clearances, and six blocks. He committed a team-high 52 fouls and suffered 42, the second most on the team. He received six yellow cards but was not sent off.

In the Eastern Conference wild card game, Atuesta played the full 90 minutes. He did not take any shots or contribute to a goal, completing 88% of his passes with one key pass. He added two tackles and one interception on defense, and committed two fouls (earning a yellow card for one) while suffering none.

The Colombian missed two of the Leagues Cup group stage games but played in the club’s other four matches in the competition (all starts) and logged 327 minutes. He did not provide a goal contribution, attempting one off-target shot. Atuesta had an opportunity to convert a penalty kick attempt in the game against Pumas, but he was unable to score. He completed 88% of his passes in the tournament, with four key passes, and on defense he contributed seven tackles, eight interceptions, two clearances, and two blocks. He both committed and suffered eight fouls in the competition and received three yellow cards.

Atuesta got his start in his native Colombia, coming up through the academy system of Independiente Medellín. He made his professional debut with that club in 2016, staying with Independiente Medellín until 2018, when he was loaned to LAFC, making his MLS debut with one goal in 25 matches that year. Atuesta signed permanently with LAFC in 2019 for three seasons, staying in Los Angeles through 2021, scoring six goals in 73 games. LAFC sold Atuesta to Palmeiras in Brazil in December of 2021, and the midfielder signed a four-year deal. However, he was loaned back to LAFC in 2024, where he scored four goals in 28 MLS games before returning to Palmeiras and ultimately being sold to Orlando City.

During his five seasons with LAFC, Atuesta appeared in 124 matches, starting 109 of them, and playing 9,790 minutes. He scored 11 goals and added 29 assists with the California club, attempting 172 shots and putting 53 on target. Atuesta passed at an 85.9% rate with 155 key passes for LAFC, amaxxing 27 yellow cards and one red card in MLS play. In the postseason, Atuesta appeared in seven playoff games (four starts) with LAFC, playing 428 minutes, providing two goals and an assist, putting three of his six shots on target, and logging eight key passes.

During his time in Los Angeles, Atuesta was part of the 2019 Supporters’ Shield-winning squad and helped the club win the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.

Throughout his professional career, Atuesta made 259 professional appearances and racked up more than 1,600 minutes played before joining Orlando City, scoring 15 goals and adding 32 assists. Atuesta has a Colombian league title with Independiente Medellín to his credit in 2015-2016, and his Palmeiras teams the 2022 and 2023 Brazilian league titles, the 2023 Supercopa do Brasil, and the 2022 Recopa Sudamericana.

On the international stage, Atuesta has represented Colombia at the U-20, U-23, and senior levels, with two caps for his national team since 2022 and 17 total appearances for his country at all levels.

What It Means for Orlando City

It’s no surprise to see the Lions lock down Atuesta to a new contract. He would have been free to sign with any team after the 2026 season. It’s good to see the club and the player commit to one another for a contract of this length. While professional soccer contracts ultimately don’t mean the player will be with the club through the entire duration of the deal, it offers Orlando City the ability to get something in return if Atuesta decides to leave.

While he’s much more of a No. 8 in the midfield rather than a No. 6, and against some opponents that was a problem in 2025 for Orlando’s double pivot. However, there’s no questioning Atuesta’s talent. He sees passes that other central midfielders don’t and can unlock a transition opportunity from his own defensive third or send a through ball to put his attacking teammates in behind the back line.

The Lions have gotten younger in 2026, so they can also use Atuesta’s leadership qualities. He was one of the players Oscar Pareja singled out after the team’s last preseason game on Saturday as a potential game captain in Robin Jansson’s absence (along with Martin Ojeda and Wilder Cartagena).

This signing should be seen as a positive development if for no other reason than the club can get something for Atuesta if he leaves. But in his second year with Orlando City, it appears Pareja has confidence in the Colombian to contribute even more than he did a year ago.