Former Manchester United winger Nani leaves Sporting Lisbon for MLS side Orlando City

Last season’s rock-bottom Orlando City completed the former Manchester United winger’s free transfer from Sporting Lisbon that sees the 32-year-old arrive on a three-year deal

Louis Mitchell
Monday 18 February 2019 20:47 GMT
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Nani in action for Sporting Lisbon in January
Nani in action for Sporting Lisbon in January (EPA)

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Major League Soccer has inducted its latest aging star in the form of Champions League winner Nani.

Last season’s rock-bottom Orlando City completed the former Manchester United winger’s free transfer from Sporting Lisbon that sees the 32-year-old arrive on a three-year deal.

Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations at Orlando City, Luiz Muzzi, shared his pleasure at the landmark signing of the fourth highest capped Portuguese international, saying: “This is an exciting day for our organization.

“Nani brings tremendous experience to our roster. He’s a dynamic winger with quality abilities to move and cross the ball, impact games and lead the offensive play.”

Leaving his boyhood club, whom he has gathered over 100 appearances for in three spells, America becomes the sixth country where Nani has plied his trade. MLS takes on a winger who has found the net at every destination, often in spectacular fashion.

This season, Nani had seven goals in 18 appearances for Sporting. At Orlando City, he will join another European MLS exploit in former Werder Bremen defender Lamine Sane.

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