TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
UPDATE, May 5 – Orlando City SC have signed forward Gastón González from Club Atlético Unión of Argentina’s Primera División as a U22 Initiative player, the MLS club announced Thursday.
González, 20, joins the Lions' attack through the 2024 season contract with options years for 2025-27.
The 20-year-old has been placed on the Season Injury List and will arrive in Orlando after undergoing surgery for an ACL injury that was suffered on April 19. His timeline for return is currently unknown
“Following Gastón’s unfortunate injury we were able to restructure our deal for him to join the Club. For us now, Gastón’s recovery is what is most important and we will give him all the necessary resources to come back healthier and stronger,” said Orlando's EVP of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi in a release.
“Although we are saddened by the circumstances delaying his on-field arrival, injuries are a part of the game and we’re very excited about having him here, his future with us and we look forward to him joining the team when fully healthy.”
González has scored eight goals and tallied seven assists across 58 appearances across all competitions for the Argentinian club, including appearances in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Diego Armando Maradona.
He is their third U22 Initiative player, alongside central midfielders Andres Perea and Cesar Araujo. This was the second move made by Orlando as the Primary Transfer Window closed, with the Lions also announcing the acquisition of Jake Mulraney from Atlanta United Thursday morning.
UPDATE, Apr. 15 – Orlando City SC have acquired Club Atlético Unión winger Gaston Gonzalez, a source confirms to MLSsoccer.com.
Joe Kepner of WFTV first reported the deal was done. Kepner also reports Gonzalez will join Orlando in early May from the Argentine Primera División side.
The deal has been in the works for a long time, with CL Merlo initially reporting the sides were in advanced discussions back in December.
Gonzalez, 20, will be a U22 Initiative signing for Orlando. The dynamic winger had five goals and seven assists in 23 league appearances for Unión last year. After progressing through the club's youth setup, he's accrued 57 appearances in the first team.
Primarily playing off the left flank, Gonzalez has featured on the right as well. The left-footed winger can create chances for others as well as himself.
Orlando have three Designated Players: winger Facundo Torres, striker Ercan Kara and attacking midfielder Mauricio Pereyra. Gonzalez is their third U22 Initiative player, alongside central midfielders Andres Perea and Cesar Araujo.
The Lions are off to a quick start in 2022 with a revamped attack following the departures of Nani, Daryl Dike and Chris Mueller, sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points after seven matches.
ORIGINAL, Dec. 29 – Orlando City SC are reportedly in advanced talks to land Union de Sante Fe winger Gaston Gonzalez, according to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.
As the Lions reshape their attack for 2022, the 20-year-old reportedly would arrive via a transfer fee that's in the neighborhood of $2 million.
The winger has seven goals and seven assists across 46 all-competition appearances for Union de Sante Fe.
Gonzalez has worked his way up through the ranks at Union de Sante Fe from the age of seven. He progressed from the club’s U-20 side to the reserve team in 2019 and was promoted to the first team in August 2020.
Reinforcing the attack is a priority for Orlando after they declined a contract option on Nani, while Chris Mueller has joined Scottish side Hibernian FC on a free transfer and striker Daryl Dike continues to be the source of a rumored transfer to Europe.
Orlando are amid their first offseason under new ownership, with several Designated Player and U22 Initiative spots to employ.
