ORLANDO, Fla. (July 21, 2016) – Orlando City today announced the signing of Uruguayan defender José Aja on a six-month loan with an option to buy, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC. The 23-year old center back adds quality depth, size and valuable international experience to the Lions’ backline
“We are excited to have José join the team. He is a young, talented defender that we have been looking at for a while because we knew he could come in and make an impact on our team,” Lions Assistant General Manager Niki Budalic said. “We look forward to working with him and benefiting from his contributions.”
Aja joins Orlando City following a six-month stint with Uruguayan top-flight side Racing Club de Montevideo while on loan from Club Nacional de Football, the country’s most successful club. The defender featured in 12 of 15 matches in Racing’s Primera División Clausura campaign earlier this year, scoring two goals and notching one assist.
The 6-foot-4 center back made his professional debut with 45-time First Division and three-time Copa Libertadores champion Club Nacional de Football on Aug. 30, 2014, against Tanque Sisley. The Montevideo native made 10 appearances to help Nacional win Uruguay’s Torneo Apertura and the Uruguayan Championship in the 2014-2015 season. Aja has made a total 22 First Division appearances.
The promising defender has also played in Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious international club competition, and has scored a goal in Copa Sudamericana, the continent’s second most important club tournament.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC acquires defender José Aja on July 21, 2016 on loan as Discovery Signing
Name: José Manual Aja Livchich (Jo-SE AH-ha)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Birth Date: May 10, 1993
Birthplace: Montevideo, Uruguay
Citizenship: Uruguay
