ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2024) – Orlando City SC has signed forward Facundo Torres to a new three-year contract, it was announced today. The Uruguayan forward will stay with the Lions as a Designated Player on a guaranteed contract through 2026, with Club options in 2027 and 2028.
"Facu has proven himself to be such an important part of our team these last couple of years,” said Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “He’s fulfilled our expectations that we set out for him at the start, showing great potential for even further growth. We’re really pleased to have him signed with us for even longer, as we strive for bigger objectives.”
The 23-year-old winger has made 72 starts in 79 appearances for the Lions since arriving in the City Beautiful, scoring 27 goals and providing 16 assists in two full seasons. 10 of Torres’ goals in the MLS regular season have served as game-winning goals, leading City in that category in both 2022 and 2023.
"First, I want to thank the Club and the fans for the amazing support they provide and for always having confidence in me,” Torres said. “I’m very happy to stay here in Orlando and continue this journey together. Vamos Orlando!”
A product of Peñarol’s youth academy system, Torres joined Los Carboneros’ first team at the start of 2020. Since then, Torres has made 71 appearances across all competitions with the Uruguayan club, including appearances in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in those matches. He also played a major role in leading Peñarol to the 2021 Liga Profesional de Primera División title, scoring in the championship match.
On June 4, 2021, the Montevideo, Uruguay, native made his senior international debut for his home country in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay. Torres entered the match as a second-half substitute for his first senior minutes at the international level. He was most recently named to Uruguay’s final roster for its most recent round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Argentina (Nov. 16) and Bolivia (Nov. 21).
Torres has since made a total of 15 appearances, including five matches in Copa América 2021 and provided his first assist for Uruguay in the same competition, as well as being named to La Celeste’s final roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Las Piedras, Uruguay native scored his first goal for his national team earlier in 2023, scoring in an international friendly against Cuba on June 21. Before featuring for the senior national team, he played 34 games combined for Uruguay’s U17 and U20 sides, scoring a total of 15 goals for the nation’s youth teams.
For the 2024 season, Torres will switch his jersey number from No. 17 to No. 10, joining players such as former captains Kaká and Mauricio Pereyra in wearing the No. 10 shirt for the Lions.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs forward and Designated Player Facundo Torres to a new contract through 2026, with Club options in 2027 and 2028.
