Orlando City makes another MLS signing

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC announced on Wednesday afternoon the acquisition of El Salvador National Team Captain, Darwin Ceren, pending ITC and visa. Ceren will join OCSC as the third Major League Soccer (MLS) signing, as the club continues to comprise a talented squad for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

“We’re extremely delighted that Darwin is joining us as our third MLS signing,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “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 and a special thanks to his agent, Gonzalo Clavijo, for being so helpful in getting this deal finalized.”

Despite being only 24 years old, Ceren has already obtained a wealth of playing experience. The aggressive and dynamic holding midfielder was most recently with El Salvadoran first division club Juventud Independiente and proved to be a central component to their success, earning him the team’s captain’s armband.

Beginning with Independiente in 2009, Ceren made 83 total appearances for the club and recorded 15 goals as a defensive midfielder. Ceren is also highly revered in El Salvador for helping to bring the club out of the second division and into the nation’s premier league.

During his time with Juventud Independiente, Ceren’s stellar performances would eventually lead the youngster to a national team call-up in May, 2013. Ceren’s debut with the El Salvador National Team occurred in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.

Since then, the midfielder has earned 16 caps- including Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying matches against sides such as Mexico and Venezuela.

Ceren’s signing with the club was a direct result from Head Coach Adrian Heath’s journey to El Salvador in December, 2013. Heath ventured to the Central American country to watch the National League Semifinal between Fas and Juventud Independiente and was impressed with Ceren’s play.

“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,” added Heath. “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.”

Ceren will begin playing with the club for the 2014 USL PRO season, and is one of three players who are guaranteed a berth on the Orlando City SC 2015 Major League Soccer roster. The first two MLS signings, Yordany Alvarez and Kevin Molino, were announced earlier this year.

Transaction: Orlando City SC signs Midfielder Darwin Ceren

Name: Darwin Ceren

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'7

Weight: 165

Last Club: Juventud Independiente (Salavadoran Primera Division)

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