ORLANDO, Fla. (July 30, 2019) - Orlando City SC has agreed to a deal with Uruguayan playmaker Mauricio Pereyra [Peh-rei-rah] through the 2020 season. Pereyra joins City as a mid-year Designated Player on a free transfer after his contract expired with FC Krasnodar, pending an International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa. Pereyra will occupy an International Spot.
“As a Club we are always looking to strengthen our roster and Mauricio fits the mold of what we look for in a new acquisition. We have important matches on the horizon both in league play and U.S. Open Cup competition, and we feel Mauricio will make an impact for us as we close out the 2019 campaign,” Orlando City SC EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said. “The move also makes sense when you look at the roster flexibility and player designations for 2020.”
Pereyra, 29, began his professional career with Club Nacional de Football in the first division of soccer in Uruguay. The midfielder’s first match came in a qualifying match in the 2009 Copa Libertadores. Pereyra would go on to compete for Club Nacional until the 2011 season, where he competed in 61 total matches.
In August of 2011, Pereyra was transferred to Club Atlético Lanús, to compete in the top division in Argentina. Pereyra competed for Lanús through the 2012/2013 campaign. While in Argentina, Pereyra recorded 52 appearances across all competitions.
At the start of 2013, Pereyra signed with FC Krasnodar in the top league of Russian soccer, where he truly found a home. Through his tenure, Pereyra competed in Russia from the 2012 season until the end of the 2019 campaign.
During that stretch, Pereyra led the FC Krasnodar squad to five top-five finishes in Russian Premier League play. Pereyra appeared in over 200 matches across all competitions for FC Krasnodar, including 11 matches in Europa League Qualifying, and 28 matches in Europa League.
In total, Pereyra has recorded 36 goals and 40 assists in his senior career. In the last two seasons, Pereyra recorded career highs in assists in Premier Liga competition while with FC Krasnodar.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs midfielder Mauricio Pereyra via free transfer as a mid-year Designated Player through 2020.
Name: Mauricio Pereyra
Position: Midfield
Height: 5'7”
Weight: 145 lbs
Born: Montevideo, Uruguay
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Citizenship: Uruguay
