ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2019)- Orlando City SC has signed defender Alex De John (Day - JHAAN) to a one-year contract ahead of the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. The New Jersey native is returning to the states after six seasons playing overseas for top clubs in Norway, Sweden and Finland.
“Alex is an experienced defender who adds needed depth to our backline. He is a natural leader with solid experience in Europe and the U.S.,” said Orlando City SC EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “We are thrilled to make this key signing at center back ahead of preseason, and know Alex will be a strong contributor to the game both in play and in aiding the development of young players we are bringing to the team.”
De John, 27, has made 125 career appearances overseas, recording seven goals and two assists as a center back over the past six seasons.
He began his career overseas in Finland with Ekenäs IF before moving on to Turun Palloseura (TPS), where he competed in the top flight in the country. While with TPS, De John appeared in 34 matches across all competitions in 2014.
In 2015, De John moved to Norwegian club IK Start, appearing in 41 matches over two seasons in Eliteserien, the top tier of the Norwegian soccer system.
De John moved to Dalkurd FF in Sweden in 2017, where he appeared in 20 matches while helping the club reach promotion to the Allsvenskan, the country’s top league, for the 2018 campaign. Overall, he made 43 appearances in all competitions for Dalkurd.
In the U.S., De John played college soccer for Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, before joining Central Spartans in the USL Premier Development League.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs center back Alex De John to a one-year contract.
Name:Alex De John
Position: Defender
Height:6'0”
Born:May 10, 1991
Birthplace: Marlboro Township, N.J.
Hometown:Marlboro Township, N.J.
Citizenship: United States
