ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2022) - Orlando City SC has signed Academy product Favian Loyola to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player through the 2025 MLS season, with Club options in both 2026 and 2027, it was announced today. The contract is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
With the deal, Loyola becomes the 13th Homegrown Player in Club history, and the first to complete the development pathway via the new iteration of Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, after starting in the Orlando City Academy.
“Favian is an exciting young talent that we’re happy to have been able to help grow throughout the course of the last few years,” Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said. “His development and impact in the last year with Orlando City B amplified his continued improvement at every step since joining our Academy, and we look forward to seeing his continued growth with our First Team.”
Beginning the 2022 campaign on an Academy contract, Loyola was eventually inked to an MLS NEXT Pro deal in August, totaling 11 appearances for Orlando City B with six starts and six goals in that time. The 17-year-old midfielder was also named to the 2022 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, eventually earning MVP honors in the match.
On the international stage, Loyola has been called up to the U.S. U-19 National Team on multiple occasions, most recently in September for the Slovenia Nations Cup.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs midfielder Favian Loyola to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player guaranteed through 2025, with Club options in 2026 and 2027, with the deal taking effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Name: Favian Loyola (fah-vee-AHN loy-O-luh)
Position: Midfielder
Number: 95
Height: 5-10
Born: May 18, 2005 in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Citizenship: USA/ITA/CHL
