ORLANDO, Fla. (January 6, 2017) - Orlando City SC has signed midfielder Servando Carrasco to a new two-year deal, and has re-signed free agent defender Kevin Alston to a one-year deal and Seb Hines to a three-year deal with team renewal options in 2018 and 2019.
“Servando, Kevin and Seb proved to be important assets for our team last year and we are excited to keep them,” General Manager Niki Budalic said.
Carrasco joined City in July 2015 and quickly established himself in the starting XI. Since his arrival, the steady defensive midfielder has featured in 43 league games for the Lions, 31 of them starts. The 28-year-old has registered four assists in two campaigns with the Lions, including the heroic long pass that led to the game-tying goal in the 95th minute against Real Salt Lake in the 2016 season opener, and has played in every game and started all but one under head coach Jason Kreis in 2016.
Following a standout year, Carrasco earned the Club’s Coaches Award for exemplifying team spirit, having a great attitude and work ethic, training with intensity and being a positive presence in and around the locker room.
Alston made his Lions debut on April 17 against the New England Revolution, with whom he spent the first seven years of his career. The 28-year-old right back earned 20 of his 21 starts in the Lions’ final 23 matches of the regular season.
Off the field, Alston was a major contributor to the Orlando community. After earning 2013 MLS WORKS Comeback Player of the Year for returning from chronic myelogenous leukemia, Alston was awarded the Club’s Community Award for his contributions to the local community and inspiring the youth of Orlando with his charitable appearances in 2016.
Hines re-signs with the Lions after spending 2015 and 2016 with City. The 28-year-old is third all-time with 49 MLS appearances for City, 44 of them starts, and is the highest scoring defender of the team with four goals in two seasons. Prior to joining City in the 2015 preseason, the Wetherby, England, native played for Middlesbrough in the English Championship and made six appearances for English youth national teams.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs Servando Carrasco to a two-year contract. Kevin Alston to a one year contract. Seb Hines to a three-year deal with team renewal options in 2018 and 2019
Name: Servando Carrasco
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Birth Date: Aug. 13, 1988
Birthplace: San Diego, Calif.
Citizenship: United States
Name: Kevin Alston
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Birth Date: May 5, 1988
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
Citizenship: United States
Name: Sebastian Hines
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 172 lbs.
Birth Date: May 29, 1988
Birthplace: Wetherby, England
Citizenship: England, United States
