ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC acquired forward Luis Muriel as a designated player from Atalanta BC of Italy’s Serie A TIM, the Lions announced Thursday.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando City SC adds Colombian forward Luis Muriel

  • The Lions acquired him as a designated player from Atalanta BC of Italy’s Serie A TIM

  • Muriel will be introduced to fans Thursday night at the club's jersey launch at Cheyenne Saloon

  • The deal for Muriel, 32, continues through the 2026 season

The Colombian striker will join Orlando City through the 2026 season, pending the results of his international transfer contract and P-1 visa. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Orlando City will introduce Muriel to fans as part of the club’s 2024 jersey launch at 6 p.m. Thursday at Cheyenne Saloon in downtown Orlando. The event will celebrate the first decade of Lions’ soccer — including multiple photo opportunities, a jersey history display and appearances by former Orlando City players.

"We are very excited to welcome Luis to Orlando. Whenever he’s on the field, he’s a player that is known to always be a threat to score, will force defenses to account for him at all times, and has the ability to combine with and make his teammates better,” Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said. “His accolades and statistics over his career thus far speak for themselves. He’s someone that we feel will help us take the next step in our pursuit to win trophies, not only this season but in the future as well.” 

Muriel, 32, has scored 151 goals and delivered 73 assists across 471 appearances across all competitions in Europe and South America. He started his career in Colombia’s Deportivo Cali, a club for which Lions coach Oscar Pareja also played. He has played in top competitions such as La Liga, Serie A, UEFA Champions League and Europa League. He also has played for Udinese, Sampdoria and Sevilla and made 51 appearances for Colombia's National Team.

Muriel already has visited Orlando.

Checking out the new digs 🏡@Luisfmuriel09 | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/fJBvZFEebV

"I am very excited and happy to be here, to live the atmosphere that is this city of the team and with a lot of desire to get started,” Muriel said. “I had various offers when Oscar [Pareja] and Orlando called me. I made this decision when looking at the development of this club, the players here and the desires of everyone to win titles. All were things that went into my decision. I’m excited to get started.”