Lions add Tarek, continue building their roster depth
Orlando City acquired center back Amro Tarek via a one-year loan from Egyptian Premier League side Wadi Degla FC with a club option to buy, pending receipt of his ITC.
The move adds to the Lions’ depth and reunites Tarek with new Orlando City signee Justin Meram, who competed alongside Tarek in Columbus during the 2016 Crew season.
“We are pleased to welcome Amro on loan. He’s an athletic left-footed center back who will add competition to our defensive group. His familiarity with MLS and hunger to succeed will allow him to transition well into Orlando,” Orlando City general manager Niki Budalic said in a news release.
Tarek, 25, joins Orlando City from Wadi Degla FC, where he played in 11 matches during the Egyptian Premier League in 2017-18. The defender previously made 25 appearances in 2016-17 for Enppi Club in Egypt.
He was loaned to Columbus in 2016 by Spanish La Liga side Real Betis and made one appearance with the Crew.
Tarek played two seasons for Egyptian Premier League side El-Gouna FC from 2013 to 2015, making 47 appearances. He began his career in 2010-11 with 1. FC Magdeburg II in Germany before moving to SC Freiburg II and VfL Wolfsburg II.
Tarek, who was born in Los Angeles but moved to Egypt as a child, made his senior international debut for Egypt during a 3-0 friendly win over Togo in March 2017.
The Lions have aggressively rebuilt their roster this offseason, making a push to earn the first MLS playoff bid in franchise history. The club is poised to wrap up 10 days of preseason training in Jacksonville and will scrimmage against Jacksonville University Saturday.
Orlando City earned an unofficial preseason win over Jacksonville University Saturday, earning a 4-1 victory during a scrimmage.
Will Johnson scored twice for the Lions, who wrapped up a 10-day preseason training session in Jacksonville Saturday.
The players will be off for a few days before resuming training in Orlando. The club will host four preseason matches against MLS teams.
Former Orlando Pride standout Sarah Hagen is returning to Central Florida in a new role.
Hagen, who most recently played for the Houston Dash, announced her retirement Friday. She is joining the Orlando City Youth Soccer program a coach.
She announced her career changes on Instagram, posting the following message:
“Today I announce my retirement from professional soccer. It’s been an amazing journey to this point but my heart is somewhere else. I’ve joined Orlando City Youth Soccer as a coach and couldn’t be happier! I would like to thank all [four] clubs ... that let me be a part of teams with some unforgettable teammates, friends, fans, and coaches . ... Looking back at my 6-year career, the thing I’m most grateful for is the quality of friends that I’ve made all over the world. I’m beyond excited for the next chapter in my life and can’t thank you all enough for making the last one so memorable!!!”