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Orlando City SC forward Nani will depart the Club after the Lions declined the Portuguese international’s option following the conclusion of the 2021 Major League Soccer season, it was announced today.
“We want to thank Nani for the professionalism that he’s shown in his time in Orlando,” said Orlando City SC Chairman Mark Wilf. “Even in the short time since we’ve taken over as stewards of this great Club, we have had great respect for Nani’s passion and abilities, while he led us as Captain. We wish him the best moving forward.”
Nani, 35, joined the Lions via free transfer from Portuguese club Sporting CP on Feb. 18, 2019, joining City as a Designated Player. Since then, he has appeared in 84 matches for Orlando City across all competitions, scoring 28 goals and providing 23 assists in MLS regular-season play.
“I want to personally thank Nani for believing in this project we’ve started and built together here, and I think it’s been the best decision of my three years here so far,” said EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “He brought everything that we needed from him, and he is a huge part of where we are today.”
An MLS is Back Tournament Best XI selection for the Lions and Player of the Tournament finalist, Nani won four Premier League titles with Manchester United and Eurocopa with the Portuguese National Team.