ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 13, 2025) – Orlando City B has signed Orlando City Academy products Justin Ellis and Bernardo Rhein to MLS NEXT Pro contracts, it was announced today. Ellis, a forward, is set to join OCB through 2026, while Rhein, a midfielder, will join the Lions through 2025 with a Club option in 2026, taking the next steps on the Club’s development pathway.
“Bernardo and Justin are two more great examples of young players that have shown belief and trust in the development pathway we have set up here at Orlando City,” said Orlando City SC VP of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira. “By signing with OCB, Justin and Bernardo have shown trust in us, the pathway and in Head Coach Manuel Goldberg. They both put in the work since their early academy days, took the opportunities that they were given to continue developing their skill sets and have shown us that they’re ready to take the next step along that pathway and we’re excited to see how they both continue to progress these next few years.”
Ellis joined the Orlando City First Team for its 2024 preseason camp in Mexico before featuring for Orlando City B in MLS Next Pro as an academy player. In 2024, Ellis featured in 18 matches for OCB, making three starts and scoring two goals. The forward scored his first goal for the Lions against Huntsville City FC on March 22 with his strike salvaging a point for OCB. The Wellington, Florida native received his first call-up to the United States U-18 Men’s National Team in September of last year, making two appearances for the U18s and scoring two goals.
Rhein, 17, began integrating with Orlando City B in the Club’s 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, featuring five times across the Club’s run, playing in the league as an academy player and training frequently with both OCB and the First Team.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City B signs Orlando City Academy products, forward Justin Ellis to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2026 and midfielder Bernardo Rhein to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2025, with a Club option in 2026.
Justin Ellis
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Born: May 14, 2007, in Wellington, Fla.
Hometown: Wellington, Fla.
Citizenship: USA
Bernardo Rhein [RYE-nn]
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Born: Sept. 21, 2007, in Windermere, Fla.
Hometown: Windermere, Fla.
Citizenship: BRA
