Report: Orlando City, Brazilian midfielder Diego reach agreement

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report

Update, Jan. 7, 2019: ESPN Brazil reported on Monday that Diego and Orlando City have agreed to a three-year deal, and that the club and the midfielder’s current club, Flamengo, are negotiating whether the player will be arriving this month, or if he will join Orlando in the summer after his deal at the Brazilian giant ends.

Original text, Dec. 31, 2018:

No strangers to striking deals for acclaimed Brazilian midfielders, Orlando City have expressed interest in acquiring Flamengo’s Diego, according to Brazilian journalist Gustavo Zupak.

Diego Ribas tem em mãos oferta de 3 anos de contrato do Orlando City. Mas clube americano não está disposto a pagar pela liberação. Ou o jogador se acerta amigavelmente com o Flamengo agora, ou o Orlando pulará fora da negociação.

— Gustavo Zupak (@gustavozupak) December 28, 2018

Zupak reports that Orlando have offered the playmaker a three-year deal. Though the report claims that Orlando is not ready to pay a transfer fee, his contract with Flamengo expires this summer, opening up the possibility of moving to the Lions on a free transfer then.

Diego, 33, began his career in Santos’ youth setup before embarking on a journey through some of the best clubs and leagues in the world, which included stops at Juventus and Atletico Madrid. He returned to his home country in 2016, signing with Flamengo, where he’s since scored 22 goals in 70 appearances for the Rio de Janeiro-based club. He was named player of the tournament in the 2017 Copa do Brasil.

First called up to the Brazilian national team in 2003, Diego often took the field for his country in relief of former Orlando star Kaká. His 34 appearances for the Seleção include Copa América titles in 2004 and 2007.