ORLANDO – December 15, 2014 – Orlando City Soccer Club has signed Honduran National Team Striker Bryan Róchez, pending visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), as a Major League Soccer (MLS) Designated Player (DP), reinforcing the Lions’ attack. Per Club and league policy, additional terms were not disclosed.
“We’re extremely delighted that Bryan is joining us for the 2015 season,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath “He’s a player that we’ve had our eyes on for quite some time now, as we believe that he has the ability to contribute to the team straight away.
One of the youngest DP’s in MLS history at only 19 years old, Róchez has scored 29 goals in 59 matches for Real C.D. España in the Honduras Primera División.
After signing with the Real España in 2012, Róchez experienced tremendous success with the club in 2014, scoring eight times in 18 league fixtures. In addition, the Honduran scored an important goal for Real in the CONCACAF Champions League.
More importantly, Róchez’s impressive play during the 2014 campaign earned the striker his first call up to the Honduras Men’s National Team for the 2014 Centroamerican Cup in the United States. Róchez also represented his native country at the U-17 and U-20 levels, scoring five times in eight appearances, and is still active for the U-20, U-21 and U-23 sides.
Watch highlights of Róchez here.
As per MLS regulations, the Designated Player Rule allows clubs to acquire up to three players whose salaries exceed their budget charges. Orlando City SC maintains one unfilled DP slot.
Transaction: Orlando City SC Acquires Bryan Róchez pending visa and ITC.
Name: Bryan Róchez (Bryan ROW-chez)
Date of Birth: 01/01/1995
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 161 lbs.
Birthplace: Teguigalpa, Honduras
