Orlando City B’s first signing ahead of their inaugural 2019 USL League One season has been announced.

OCB announced Wednesday the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Jordan Bender.

“This is a really exciting moment for us,” OCB general manager Mike Potempa said. “Our first movement shows that we strongly believe in our Development Academy as Jordan is a player with tremendous ability and we are extremely pleased to have him on board as we build the roster for the upcoming season.”

Bender, a Lake Mary native, comes from the Orlando City Development Academy which he’s been a part of since he was 14.

Other stats with the Orlando City DA include: playing 26 games for the U-15/16s the following year, scoring five goals. When he was 16, Bender scored six goals in 28 games for the U-18/19s. He has two goals in six games with the U-18/19s this season.

The midfielder earned his first United States U-16 national team call-up in February 2017. Bender will continue his education at Montverde Academy, while playing with OCB

The Orlando City Development Academy has been located at Montverde Academy since January.

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(Photo Courtesy of Orlando City SC)