ORLANDO, Fla. (December 28, 2016) - Orlando City SC has bolstered its squad by signing two-time MLS Cup Champion and three-time MLS All-Star free agent Will Johnson to a two-year contract with an option for a third.
“We are pleased to add Will to the team,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said. “He is a proven and accomplished MLS player that knows the league and [Head Coach Jason Kreis’] system very well from their time at Real Salt Lake. We are confident he will help the Club achieve its goals moving forward.”
Johnson, a 10-year MLS veteran, signs a two-year contract with the Lions following a successful season with Toronto FC. The 29-year-old started 20 matches among 29 appearances for the defending runners-up and scored two goals and five assists. Johnson played at Real Salt Lake from 2008-12 under Lions head coach Jason Kreis and made 30 starts in RSL’s 2009 MLS Cup campaign. Johnson also made 13 appearances in the Portland Timbers’ 2015 MLS Cup title run.
A three-time MLS All-Star and 2013 MLS Best XI selection, Johnson adds a plethora of experience to the Lions, having played 212 MLS regular season games, 193 of them starts, as well as 25 playoff matches, registering 29 goals and 22 assists overall.
The Toronto native, who holds Canadian, American and English citizenship, has scored four goals in 41 caps for the Canada national team since making his senior debut in 2005, including call-ups to three CONCACAF Gold Cups. Johnson was awarded the Canadian Men’s Player of the Year in 2013 by the Canadian Soccer Association after captaining the Timbers to the top of the Western Conference in 2013.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs free agent Will Johnson to a two-year contract.
Name: Will Johnson
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160 lbs.
BirthDate: Jan. 21, 1987
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Citizenship: Canada, United States, England
