It was a long time coming, but former Orlando City SC forward Cyle Larin has officially moved on from Major League Soccer.
After not reporting to City’s first preseason training, Larin was seen training with Turkish club Beşiktaş J.K. a day later. Now, both the Lions and Beşiktaş have agreed to a transfer deal worth more than the originally estimated $2.3 million, according to a report by ProSoccerUSA.com’s Alicia DelGallo.
Per DelGallo’s report, City will retain 100 percent of the transfer fee. Usually, 30 percent goes to MLS, and 10 percent goes to the player.
Before the Lions’ 2018 preseason began, Larin already told the Orlando Sentinel he was ready to move to a European league. Beşiktaş, then, posted photos of Larin underdoing medical exams, tweeting he passed those check-ups on Jan. 13.
On the other side, the Lions are in the middle of their annual 10-day, team-bonding trip in Jacksonville. They will conclude the trip with their first preseason friendly against Jacksonville University on Saturday.
The Lions have also been very attacking-minded this offseason, most recently dealing for Columbus Crew SC’s Justin Meram. City have also acquired MLS’s leader in assists the past two seasons, Sacha Kljestan, and signed two-time North American Soccer League MVP and two-time NASL Golden Boot winner Stéfano Pinho.
Together, the new-look Lions hope to improve on last season’s significant lack of scoring. City was among the three worst offensive teams in the league, being one of just three teams to score less than 40 goals with 39 in 2017. Larin led the Lions in scoring the past three seasons, totaling 12 goals and 3 assists last season.
Of the top-five City goal-scorers from last season, only Dom Dwyer remains. He scored four times in 12 games, 11 starts for City after a midseason trade with Sporting Kansas City. He was signed to a three-year extension this past offseason.
For more on the Lions, as they move on without Larin, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
[…] the playoffs in their first three MLS seasons, but not since 2015 draftee Cyle Larin, who has since departed for Turkey, has an Orlando City pick played more than Hadji Barry and his 304 first-team […]
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