“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City,” Antoine Griezmann stated, marking a significant transition in his illustrious football journey.
Griezmann, a 35-year-old forward, has officially signed with Orlando City SC, leaving behind a storied tenure at Atlético Madrid, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 211 goals. His contract with the MLS club will commence in July 2026 and extend through the 2027-28 season, with an option for 2028-29.
Having won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 with the French national team, Griezmann’s move to Orlando is seen as a landmark moment for both the player and the club. Mark Wilf, co-owner of Orlando City SC, emphasized the significance of this acquisition, stating, “Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer.”
Griezmann’s career has been decorated with numerous accolades, including being named LaLiga’s Player of the Year in the 2015-16 season and winning the Golden Boot at the 2016 UEFA European Championship. He has also logged 13 goals and four assists in the current season with Atlético Madrid.
Ricardo Moreira, the club’s sporting director, praised Griezmann’s abilities, saying, “Antoine is a complete footballer—creative, intelligent, clinical—and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game.” This sentiment reflects the high expectations surrounding his arrival in Orlando.
Griezmann’s decision comes after his retirement from international play in 2024, where he scored 44 goals in 137 caps for France, placing him among the top scorers in the nation’s history.
The Frenchman has had a remarkable career, having played for notable clubs such as FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad, but his next challenge lies in the United States.
As Griezmann prepares for this new chapter, he expressed that the ambition and vision of Orlando City SC resonated with him, stating, “From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me.”
With this move, Griezmann aims to bring his wealth of experience and skill to Major League Soccer, setting the stage for what could be a transformative period for both him and Orlando City SC.
