It’s happened. Orlando City SC forward Facundo Torres has landed in Brazil for the medical examination that will seal the record deal inking him to the SE Palmeiras roster.
Orlando City SC supporters marveled at the summer of Facu. Then the fall of Facu. Striker Facundo Torres dramatically furthered the development of his greatest strengths – passing and finishing. He finished the season as the club’s all-time career leader in scoring with 47 goals across all competitions.
Cruz Azul in Liga MX made a strong effort to get Torres on the squad. And his agent made a trip to FC Porto in Portugal responding to his desire to play in Europe.
But the winner is Palmeiras with the agreement to pay a club-record $12 million transfer fee. Orlando City also paid a then-club-record transfer fee of $7.5 million to get Torres on the squad from his club in Uruguay, Penarol.
The outgoing $12 million isn’t a record for MLS, but it makes the list.
We have plenty of time left in the off-season for more changes to the list. But at this posting, the $26 million paid to transfer Miguel Albiron from Newcastle United to Atlanta United makes No. 1.
Barring any other big-ticket roster moves, the Facu deal will make No. 9, just after the $13.9 million to move Brenden Aaronson from R.B. Salzburg to the Philadelphia Union.
He joins the Palmeiras squad that has brought much success to Sao Paulo. They are the most successful club in the Brazilian league. They won 12 national titles, including eight league titles, three Copa do Brazil titles, and one Brazilian Champions Cup.
The club also won six international trophies: Three Copa Libertadores titles in 1999, 2020, and 2021, one Recopa Sudamericana title in 2022, one Copa Mercosur title in 1998, and one Copa Rio title in 1951.
The Orlando City SC front office is now assembling the team for next season. Facundo Torres's departure poses a challenge, but the organization has the means to meet it.