Orlando City Signs Justin Ellis to Homegrown Player Contract

Orlando City announced today that the club has signed Justin Ellis to a Homegrown Player contract. Ellis, who starred for Orlando City B last season, becomes the club’s 19th Homegrown Player on a deal through the 2027 MLS season with club options for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029. With his first-team deal, Ellis completes his advancement from the Orlando City Development Academy through reserve side OCB and onto the MLS squad.

“This is a proud moment for everyone at Orlando City as Justin becomes the latest player to rise through every step of our development pathway,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “Justin has excelled at every level—the academy, OCB, and in his first-team opportunities, and he’s done it through dedication and a drive to keep improving. We’re thrilled with the player he’s becoming and excited for what he’ll accomplish as he takes this next step in his career.” 

The Wellington native had a breakout year with OCB in 2025 in MLS NEXT Pro, riding that momentum to his debut with the first team on May 14 of last year — Ellis’ 18th birthday — in a 3-1 home win over Charlotte FC. The teenageer has made 41 appearances with OCB, scoring nine goals and adding five assists. Seven of those goals and all five assists came in his 22 matches (all starts) last season.

Ellis helped lead the club’s U-19 academy team a year ago as well, winning the Golden Boot and earning MLS NEXT MVP honors. The U-19 squad finished 23-3-4 and won its first Generation Adidas championship.

On the international stage, Ellis has four caps and recorded one assist with the U.S. U-19 Men’s National Team.

What It Means for Orlando City

This Homegrown signing has been a long time coming. At one point last season, Ellis had caught Shak Mohammed for OCB’s goal-scoring lead and had become the team’s best all-around player. However, Ellis cooled off down the stretch — as did OCB — and the team finished the year meekly without his scoring input, missing the postseason.

It’s difficult to project Ellis’ best position at the MLS level, but he’s a fantastic passer, showing remarkable skill for his age at unlocking a defense with a well-placed curling long ball or a seeing-eye through ball. He also knows what to do with the ball in front of goal, finishing second among the Young Lions’ goal scorers a year ago.

Orlando City’s pipeline continues to build momentum. With players like Gustavo Caraballo, Ellis, Colin Guske, Dylan Judelson, and others, along with the success Alex Freeman had a year ago, the attention the club has paid to the development system is paying off.

Ellis will likely see some MLS minutes in 2026, but he won’t be rushed into service. It’s reasonable to expect him to start for OCB this season with some bench appearances for the first team.