Orlando City SC acquires Peruvian-Venezuelan center back Carlos Ascues on loan for the remainder of the season from Peruvian top-flight side Club Alianza Lima, pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa. The Club retains the option to extend the loan for an additional 12 months after the 2018 season.
“Carlos brings valuable experience from Europe and South America. He fits the profile we’re looking for in a defender, and we also value his versatility to be able to play in the midfield,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said. “We welcome him to Orlando and look forward to his contributions.”
Ascues, 26, joins the Lions after playing for Alianza Lima, where he made 13 league appearances and four in the Copa Libertadores in 2018. In 2017, Ascues scored four goals and made 36 appearances across all competitions for Alianza and Peruvian side FBC Melgar, winning the league title with Alianza. Prior to returning to Peru, Ascues spent two years with VfL Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga.
Ascues, who can also play as a midfielder, began his professional career in 2011 with Alianza Lima before moving to SL Benfica B (Portugal), Panetolikos Arginio (Greece), Universidad San Martin de Porres (Peru) and Melgar.
On the international stage, Ascues, who was born in Caracas, Venezuela, but whose parents are Peruvian, has made 21 senior national team appearances for Peru, scoring five goals. Ascues started two World Cup qualifiers for Los Incas in March 2016. Ascues played every minute in Peru’s third-place finish at the 2015 Copa America.