Former Academy and Orlando City B goalkeeper Javier Otero will now be with the MLS first team after signing a homegrown deal with Orlando City, the club announced on Monday.

The 6-foot-5 Venezuelan signed with the Lions through the 2024 season with option years for 2025 and 2026.

“Javier is someone that we’ve seen show true talent and a willingness to work hard and keep developing his game at every level in our Club,” said EVP and general manager Luiz Muzzi. “He’s impressed us in training every day and has shown everyone what he’s capable of in MLS NEXT Pro. We’re excited to see him complete our development pathway to the First Team and reward him with this opportunity.” 

Otero recently joined Orlando City through a short-term agreement with Orlando City B, the team’s MLS Next Pro affiliate, on June 16, allowing the goalkeeper to be rostered in a certain number of MLS games.

Otero, 20, has been training on and off with Orlando City for quite some time now, dating back to the 2021 season. Otero has 32 total appearances for OCB with 146 saves.

He also recently played the Venezuelan national team last month in a pair of friendlies.

Otero joined the Orlando City Academy in 2017 and debuted for Orlando City B in 2020 when the club competed in USL League One.

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