ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2024) – Orlando City SC has signed 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection Yutaro Tsukada to a First Team contract through 2025, with Club options in 2026 and 2027 it was announced today.
“Yutaro has shown us a lot so far this year, both on the field and off, during his time with Orlando City B and has proven the importance of our development pathway,” said Orlando City SC EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “He has demonstrated his ability to impact games with his speed and flair but has also shown his abilities to improve the team as a whole with hard work and effort off the ball. We look forward to him continuing his development with the First Team and are excited to see him level his game up even more.”
Tsukada has scored four goals and provided four assists in 12 starts, scoring his first professional brace in Orlando City B’s 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls II on May 8 of this year. The Tokyo, Japan native joined Orlando City’s First Team for preseason training camp in Mexico before signing a contract with Orlando City B in March. Since starting his professional career with OCB, Tsukada has been called-up to the Lions’ First Team on numerous short-term agreements and made his MLS debut against intrastate foes Inter Miami CF on May 15 of this year.
“I am extremely honored to become a part of the First Team. I would like to thank the club and all of the fans for the amazing support that I have received since being drafted here to Orlando,” said Tsukada. “I’m excited to continue the hard work and competing for this club.”
The Lions selected Tsukada with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. The winger played his junior and senior years at West Virginia University. In his two seasons with the Mountaineers, he appeared in 40 games, scored 13 goals, and recorded 14 assists.
In 2023, Tsukada tied for the team lead and was 16th in the nation with 12 goals. Six of his 12 goals served as game winners, which was third-best in the country. He led the team in that same season with nine assists which helped him earn United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team honors. Prior to playing at West Virginia, Tsukada played two seasons at Daytona State College.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs MLS SuperDraft selection Yutaro Tsukada to a First Team contract through 2025, with Club options in 2026 and 2027.
Yutaro Tsukada (yoo-TAH-ro soo-KAH-dah)
Number: 34
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Born: July 28, 2001, in Tokyo, Japan
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Citizenship: JPN
