ORLANDO, Fla. (April 5, 2021) - Orlando City SC has signed Orlando City Academy product Raul Aguilera (rah-OOL ah-gee-LEH-rah) to a one-year First Team contract with Club options in 2022, 2023 and 2024, it was announced today. Aguilera becomes the 10th Homegrown Player in Club history and the second to be inked to a deal this year.
“Raul is a great young player that has been with the Club from the very beginning,” said EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “He learned a lot from his time with a top-flight program at the collegiate level and brought that knowledge to our system and continued to work hard. Raul is a player that is incredibly dedicated to this Club, has shown us his love for this city and proven that he is truly a Lion through and through.”
A native of Sanford, Fla., Raul joined the Orlando City Academy in 2013. Following his time in the Academy, the midfielder attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and featured for the University’s team from 2017-19. Aguilera made 30 starts in 44 career appearances, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
Featuring for Orlando City B in the 2020 season, the 21-year-old made seven starts in eight appearances and notched one goal for the side. Aguilera joined the First Team for the 2021 preseason, including training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton.
With the signing, Aguilera is now the seventh Homegrown on the Lions’ current roster, joining defender Michael Halliday, goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, midfielders Jordan Bender and David Loera, along with forwards Benji Michel and Wilfredo Rivera.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City signs midfielder Raul Aguilera to a one-year Homegrown contract, with Club options in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Raul Aguilera
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160
Born: Aug. 2, 1999 in Sanford, Fla.
Hometown: Sanford, Fla.
Citizenship: USA
