Orlando City have confirmed the signing of French forward Antoine Griezmann on a Designated Player contract, marking a major addition for the Major League Soccer side.
Griezmann, 35, has agreed a two year deal running through the 2027 to 2028 season, with the club holding an option for the 2028 to 2029 campaign. The transfer remains subject to the France international passing a medical, receiving his International Transfer Certificate and securing a P 1 visa.
The former Atlético Madrid star will complete the current campaign with the Spanish club before linking up with Orlando City when the summer transfer window opens on July 13.
“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City,” Griezmann said in a statement.
“From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me. I look forward to making Orlando my new home, meeting the supporters, feeling the energy at Inter&Co Stadium, and giving everything I have to help the team achieve great things.”
Griezmann arrives in the United States after a distinguished club career that has seen him score 298 goals and register 132 assists in 792 professional appearances for Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Sociedad.
He has won multiple honours at club level, including the 2017 to 2018 UEFA Europa League, the 2018 UEFA Super Cup and the 2014 Spanish Supercopa with Atlético Madrid. He also lifted the 2020 to 2021 Copa del Rey with Barcelona and secured the 2009 to 2010 LaLiga 2 title with Real Sociedad.
This season, he has recorded 13 goals and 4 assists across all competitions for Atlético.
“Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer,” Orlando City owner and chairman Mark Wilf said.
“He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club. Our focus is on consistently building a championship caliber roster every year, and adding a world class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the Club can achieve.”
Griezmann has also collected several individual awards, including LaLiga Player of the Year for the 2015 to 2016 season, the Onze d’Or in 2014 to 2015 and the Onze de Bronze in 2016 to 2017. He finished third in Ballon d’Or voting in both 2016 and 2018 and has been named in the LaLiga Team of the Season four times.
On the international stage, he played a key role in France’s triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and their runner up finish in 2022. He won the Bronze Ball and Silver Boot awards at the 2018 tournament and was named Man of the Match in the final. He also helped France secure the 2020 to 2021 UEFA Nations League title.
Griezmann retired from international football in 2024 after scoring 44 goals and providing 38 assists in 137 appearances, ranking as France’s fourth highest scorer.
“Antoine is a complete footballer — creative, intelligent, clinical — and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game,” Orlando City general manager and sporting director Ricardo Moreira said.
“Beyond his talent, he brings leadership, a relentless drive and a championship mentality that will elevate everyone around him. This is a statement signing for our club and ownership group, and we are thrilled to welcome Antoine and his family to Orlando.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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