Orlando City signs Antoine Griezmann in landmark MLS move | OneFootball

Orlando City has completed one of the most significant signings in Major League Soccer history, confirming the arrival of Antoine Griezmann from Atlético de Madrid.

The French forward will join the club in July, following the conclusion of the 2025–26 European season. He arrives as a Designated Player on a deal through 2028, with an option for 2029.

A statement signing for MLS

Griezmann’s arrival places Orlando City at the center of the league’s global narrative.

Few players of his caliber have entered MLS in recent years while still operating at a high competitive level. The move signals a shift in ambition from a club that has consistently reached the playoffs but has yet to establish itself as a title favorite.

Owner Mark Wilf described the signing as transformational, framing it as both a sporting and commercial step forward. Internally, the objective is clear: compete for trophies and elevate the club’s status within the league.

Proven pedigree with France

Griezmann’s international career reinforces the scale of the acquisition.

He played a central role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph and remained a key figure during the team’s run to the 2022 final, where they finished as runners-up to Argentina.

Across his international career, he recorded:

His consistency over nearly a decade placed him alongside the most influential players of his generation, both in production and tactical importance.

Atlético’s all-time leading

At the club level, Griezmann’s legacy is closely tied to Atlético de Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer.

His numbers reflect sustained elite output:

He was instrumental in Atlético’s 2017–18 UEFA Europa League title and maintained high-level performances across multiple seasons. Prior spells at Barcelona and Real Sociedad further underline his longevity at the top of European football.

Across his professional career:

He was named LaLiga Player of the Season in 2015–16 and finished in the top three of the Ballon d’Or voting twice.

A new phase in Orlando

The transition to MLS presents a different challenge, but not one defined by decline.

Griezmann arrives with game intelligence, positional versatility, and a profile suited to shaping matches rather than simply finishing them. Orlando City is betting that those qualities will translate immediately.

In initial comments, the forward pointed to the club’s structure and long-term vision as decisive factors in his decision. He also highlighted the opportunity to play at Inter&Co Stadium and connect with a growing fan base.

Building a contender

The signing is part of a broader project.

Orlando City has qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons, establishing a baseline of consistency. Previous high-profile additions such as Kaká and Nani raised the club’s profile, but Griezmann represents a different tier of expectation.

He is set to join a Designated Player group that includes Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda, forming the core of an attack built to compete at the top of the league.

Club leadership has made its stance explicit: the objective is no longer participation, but contention.

Changes beyond the roster

The move also coincides with structural adjustments.

Orlando recently parted ways with head coach Oscar Pareja, signaling a shift toward a more aggressive competitive cycle. The expectation is alignment between roster construction and tactical identity as the club enters a new phase.

Immediate impact on the league

Griezmann’s arrival reinforces a broader trend of elite European players choosing MLS.

The difference, in this case, is timing. He joins without the profile of a player winding down his career, bringing instead a level of intensity and decision-making that could alter Orlando’s ceiling.

For the club, the equation is straightforward: this is a move designed to compete for a title.

For MLS, it is another sign that the league continues to grow as a destination for players who can still influence the highest level of the game.