ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2025) – Orlando City SC has acquired winger Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza C.E.I.F. in the Liga BetPlay Dimayor, Colombia’s top tier, it was announced today. Rodríguez will join the Lions via transfer as a U22 Initiative player through 2027, with a Club option in 2028, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“We’re very excited to have Nico join us here in Orlando. With the characteristics he has as a player, he’s someone that we feel really fits our model and culture at the Club,” said Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “Nico has a skilled left foot that makes him a challenge to defend, likes to take defenders on one-on-one and has a promising future. We’re excited for all he’ll achieve here during his time in purple.”
“It’s an honor and a point of pride to be able to wear this kit, to be able to represent this badge and it’s very important to me and to my family,” said Rodríguez. “I’m excited about this next step along my journey.”
Rodríguez, 20, joined Fortaleza’s First Team in July of 2021, making his professional debut just under a year later in May of 2022. Since then, the Colombian winger has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 73 appearances for the Bogotá-based club.
The majority of Rodríguez’s goal contributions to date occurred during Fortaleza’s 2024 campaign, scoring his first goal as a professional player on April 9, 2023, in a league match against Inter Palmira, tallying the game-winner for Fortaleza in their 1-0 win.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC acquires winger Nicolás Rodríguez via transfer from Fortaleza C.E.I.F. as a U22 Initiative player through 2027, with a Club option in 2028.
Nicolás Rodríguez
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Born: April 25, 2004, in San José del Guaviare, Colombia
Hometown: San José del Guaviare, Colombia
Citizenship: COL
