Orlando City SC continue to build their roster in anticipation of their 2015 MLS debut, announcing another player acquisition Wednesday with the signing of El Salvador national team captain Darwin Cerén.
Pending his International Transfer Certificate and visa, Cerén will join OCSC as their third MLS signing. He’ll compete with the club for the 2014 USL PRO season and will be guaranteed an MLS roster spot for the following season.
“We’re extremely delighted that Darwin is joining us as our third MLS signing,” Orlando City president Phil Rawlins said on the club's website. “We fought very hard to get him here, as several other MLS clubs were also interested. We believe that he is a great prospect for the future.”
At 24 years old, Cerén already has a wealth of playing experience. The holding midfielder was most recently captain with Salvadoran first-division club Juventud Independiente.
Cerén has made 83 total appearances for Independiente since 2009 and recorded 15 goals as a defensive midfielder, helping bring the club out of El Salvador’s second division.
Since his debut with the El Salvador national team in May 2013, he has earned 16 caps, including in Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying matches.
Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath scouted Cerén on a journey to El Salvador in December 2013.
“I’ve traveled a lot throughout the past few years and even though I’ve never been to El Salvador, it was definitely worth the journey,” Heath said on the team website. “Darwin is at the right age, he’s the captain of his country and an all-around great kid, so I’m very pleased that we were finally able to get this deal finalized.”
The club’s first two MLS signings, Yordany Álvarez and Kevin Molino, were announced earlier this year.
