Defender Kyle Smith signs new deal with Orlando

Orlando City SC defender Kyle Smith has re-signed for the team in purple to a new two-year contract with a club option in the latter year.

Smith joined Orlando City in 2019 after previously representing Louisville City in the USL Championship from 2016-2018, where he played 85 games and won the USL Cup two consecutive times in 2017 and 2018.

In his four seasons at Orlando, Smith has appeared 95 times in the MLS, seven times in the national cup and two times in the MLS playoffs. Despite playing at the back of the pitch, Smith has scored three goals in his Orlando career.

This previous season the Ohio native played 29 games, the most he has played for Orlando in a given season. During the 29 appearances, he started 14 games and scored two goals. One of these appearances included the U.S. Open Cup, where Orlando was victorious over Sacramento Republic FC.

Orlando's executive vice-president of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi broke the news of Smith's new contract. During the announcement he had some words to say about the rotational player.

"We're so happy to get Kyle signed to a new deal, which allows us to not only keep him as part of the 2023 roster, but now involves an additional option year in 2024," Luiz Muzzi said.

"Throughout his time in Orlando he's answered every call and played every role that we've asked him to. His versatility and dependability are vital to our plans as we look to win more trophies in 2023," he continued.

The 2023 Major League Soccer season will begin on February 25, with pre-season beginning in January next year.