Orlando City made national headlines last week, signing two Designated Players (Facundo Torres and Ercan Kara) in less than 72 hours, retooling their attack for years to come in the process.
But be careful – the Lions’ first signing of the winter, announced just a few weeks prior to Torres’ and Kara’s arrivals, could prove just as impactful.
Uruguayan youth international midfielder César Araújo, all of 20 years old, arrived in the United States this past weekend and has spent the last few days training with his new Orlando City teammates. Araújo, acquired in early January from Montevideo Wanderers, has impressed many with his physicality and his skill through his first sessions, including his Head Coach.
“César is something special,” Oscar Pareja raved when asked about Araújo before Wednesday’s training.
“The thing that caught our eyes from him was his professionalism, his commitment with the group, and his generosity with his teammates on and off the field,” Pareja continued. “All those things…are not too flashy for spectators. But he is a team player who we are happy and delighted to have here.”
Araújo spoke to reporters for the first time on Wednesday, describing himself as an “intense” player who likes to distribute and defend from the center of the park in equal measure. He says his new teammates have been very welcoming, and he’s particularly excited to be playing with fellow Uruguayans Mauricio Pereyra and, in the coming days, Facundo Torres.
“It’s important for someone to have some countrymen on your team,” Araújo said through an interpreter. “It always helps when you have people from your country who understand your culture. Mauricio’s been great, and of course when Facundo gets here, it’ll be great. It really helps [me] adapt to everything here.”
Pareja also noted that the adaptation process could take some time, but he sees a player who has maturity beyond his years and is set up to succeed quickly in MLS.
“He’s a player who is very well organized,” said Pareja. “With the ball, he has the talent to play the glue in the middle, in a part of the field that is busy all the time. He has personality. He has a high ceiling as well, getting into the league, with the dynamic and the intensity of the league, I think it’s something he will absorb very well.”
Araújo and the Lions open up their 2022 preseason slate with a scrimmage against Minnesota United on Thursday afternoon behind closed doors at Exploria Stadium.
