Orlando City SC announced on Tuesday that it has signed Uri Rosell from Sporting Lisbon for an undisclosed fee.
Because Rosell joined the Portuguese club from Sporting Kansas City for a fee of more than $500,000, he was subject to Major League Soccer's allocation order. Orlando traded $400,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and its No. 6 place in the order to FC Dallas in exchange for the No. 1 spot, which it used to select the 25-year-old.
Rosell spent three and a half years on Sporting's books, but made just 22 appearances for the Lisbon club. During his time in Portugal, Rosell was sent on loan to Vitoria Guimaraes, Belenenses and Portimonense.
The midfielder returns to MLS, where he spent two successful years with Sporting KC. In 2013, he played a vital role in lifting the club's second MLS Cup.
"Uri brings many attributes to our midfield," said Orlando general manager Niki Budalic. "He is a proven MLS midfielder with great vision and outstanding passing abilities to contribute offensively and defensively to the team."
A graduate of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Rosell made six appearances with Barca B before moving to Major League Soccer in 2012. A year later, amid SKC's run to MLS Cup, he received his one and only cap for Catalonia.
