Orlando City is set to sign Argentine forward Ramiro Enrique from Banfield as the club's third U22 initiative player, according to reporting from MLSSoccer.com's Tom Bogert.
Source: Orlando City finalizing the acquisition of Argentine attacker Ramiro Enrique from Banfield for around $2m + add-ons. @CLMerlo first.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 11, 2023
Enrique, 21, would be U22 Initiative signing. Can play center forward or on the wing. 12g/3a in ~4000 first team mins. pic.twitter.com/stBlo7Axq3
Enrique would be the third major signing from Argentina over the last season, joining fellow Argentine forwards Gastón González and Martín Ojeda. The 21-year-old joins González and defensive midfielder César Araújo as U22 initiative signings.
If this deal gets over the line, Orlando will have filled all three Designated Player spots and all three U22 initiative spots for this season. All six spots have been filled with players brought in over the last two seasons.
Enrique is listed as a center forward. He scored six goals in over 2,000 minutes last season in all competitions for Banfield. The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 73 career appearances for the Argentine club.
This offseason, the Lions have signed or drafted four new forwards including Enrique. That doesn't include González, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Five of the six discretionary spend roster spots (U22 and DP) have been spent on attacking players.
Orlando is going all in on it's new look offensive attack and heavily investing in the Argentine market. With a wealth of new forwards coming in with high pedigree, the Lions could be a much more interesting and dynamic team in the final third.