As Orlando City ramp up their preseason, a new Designated Player joins the ranks of the team. On Thursday the Lions announced Ercan Kara as the team’s 13th DP, signing the Austrian striker to a three-year deal with two option years. The 6’4″ forward joins Orlando after scoring 27 goals in two seasons with Rapid Vienna.

“Acquiring Ercan is a great move for us and we’re really happy to get him to Central Florida,” said Orlando City GM and EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “His size and strength make him a great target for us inside the box, but his skills make him a threat from outside as well. We think his versatility up top is going to open a lot of opportunities for us in attack.”

Following the departure of star striker Daryl Dike to England, the Lions looked to Europe to find his replacement. A 10-year professional in Austria and debutant for the Austrian national team in 2021, Kara joins the club at just 26 years of age, but with a wealth of experience under his belt. Through his years playing in Austria, Kara has played at almost every level of soccer tier there, progressing from 4th division club FC Mauerwerk to 1st division Horn in 2019. After scoring 13 goals in just 16 games, he transferred to Rapid Vienna, where he has played ever since. His goal totals since 2019 is 52 scored in 102 games, averaging roughly a goal every two games played.

Orlando just announced that Ecuadorian winger Alexander Alvarado was loaned to LDU Quito with the option to buy, opening up an international roster spot for Kara to occupy.

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