Orlando City have signed Paraguayan attacking midfielder Josue Colman as a designated player, the MLS club announced on Monday.
The 19-year-old comes to Orlando from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay's top flight, the same club where Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron began his career.
Colman scored one goal in 32 appearances in 2017, including 28 starts, and helped his team win the Clausura title last year. He scored three times in 16 games in his first year as a pro in 2016.
He has played for Paraguay's under-17 and U20 national teams, and started at the South American U-20 Football Championship last year.
"We are pleased to welcome such an exciting young prospect to our roster," Lions general manager Niki Budalic said in a statement. "Josue has great pace and can create chances for himself and others. His skillset and profile give us confidence he will be a great fit in Orlando and MLS for years to come."
We've got our number ten. #WelcomeJosue
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 15, 2018
City Signs Paraguayan Midfielder Josué Colmán as Young Designated Player.
Details 📝 https://t.co/66LPDe53hl pic.twitter.com/i0FuTy0gnv
As a young designated player, Colman's undisclosed salary will only count $150,000 against Orlando's team budget. He joins Sacha Kljestan and Yoshi Yotun as Orlando's DPs.
Orlando City said Colman has signed a five-year deal including club options. Transfer terms were not disclosed, but Tigo Sports reported last week that the Paraguayan club would receive $3 million and retain 30 percent of a future sale.
The validity of option years included in MLS contracts like Colman's have been called into question this month amid Cyle Larin's efforts to leave Orlando for Turkish club Besiktas.
Orlando picked up Larin's 2018 option after last season, but Besiktas are attempting to push through a signing anyway, believing the options are only valid within U.S. leagues. If a settlement can not be reached, the case appears likely to be heading towards a ruling from FIFA.