FC Cincinnati have acquired Argentine winger Luca Orellano [LOO-kah oh-ray-YAH-no] from Club de Regatas (CR) Vasco da Gama of the Brazilian Série A on loan, the club announced today. Orellano will join FC Cincinnati for the duration of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, with an option to buy.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Luca to the team,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “He’s a dynamic player who has the talent and versatility to be an important player for FC Cincinnati. His professionalism and mentality have already made a strong impression, and we look forward to his continued development.”
Orellano, 23, brings to Cincinnati over 140 career professional appearances, having tallied 14 goals and 17 assists. Prior to joining CR Vasco da Gama in January 2023, Orellano spent his first four professional seasons with his childhood club, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield of the Argentine Primera División. He debuted for the senior team on November 25, 2018.
With Vélez Sarsfield, Orellano scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in four seasons. Most notably, he featured 18 times for the club in the prestigious Copa Libertadores, the top club competition in South America. Orellano started all 12 matches for Vélez in their run to the semifinals of the competition in 2022.
"I'm proud to join FC Cincinnati,” said Orellano. “I was attracted to this club because of the project they are building, and I really want to give my 100 percent to this club and the fans. I'm very excited to meet all the supporters and play at TQL Stadium.”
On January 13, 2023, Orellano was transferred to CR Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro. Over the past year with Vasco, Orellano has featured 25 times across all competitions, scoring two goals and three assists.
TRANSACTION: On Feb. 23, 2024, FC Cincinnati acquire winger Luca Orellano on loan through the end of the 2024 MLS season, with an option to buy, from Club de Regatas (CR) Vasco da Gama of the Brazilian Série A.
