Ahead of the start of Orlando City SC’s fourth Major League Soccer season, the Lions have acquired a veteran center back who has played at the highest level of European soccer.
On Feb. 20, the team officially announced the acquisition of center back Lamine Sané from Bundesliga side SV Werder Bremen. Sané was at City’s training on the 20.
“Lamine will significantly strength our back line,” City general manager Niki Budalic said, per the team’s pres release. “He brings tremendous experience at the highest levels of European football, and we believe he will fit right in with what we’re trying to build in Orlando.”
Before joining MLS, the 30-year-old made 270 appearances across a variety of first-division leagues in Europe. Sané made 38 appearances for Werder Bremen in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons combined, notching two goals and an assist.
The Villenueve-sur-Lot, France, native played in the French first division, Ligue 1, for seven seasons with FC Girondins de Bordeaux. There, he recorded 188 appearances between 2009 and 2017. Sané is also a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League veteran, having made six and 17 appearances, respectively, in those competitions.
Internationally, Sané competes for the Senegalese men’s national team. He’s made 25 senior-team caps, including two in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Sané could miss MLS time, as Senegal is one of five nations from the Confederation of African Football that will compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Defense was an issue for the Lions last season, as Orlando was tied for the third-most goals allowed in the Eastern Conference (58). City was intentional in solidifying their back line this offseason, also adding center back Amro Tarek and outside backs R.J. Allen and Mohamed El-Munir.
The Lions play their last preseason scrimmage on Saturday against Chicago Fire SC. So far this preseason, Orlando City have out-scored their opponents by a combined goals count of 15-5.
For more on the Lions, as they wrap up preseason, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
