Orlando City and Mauricio Pereyra agree to mutual contract termination

Orlando City and veteran midfielder Mauricio Pereyra have mutually agreed to a contract termination after the team's postseason exit.

After joining Orlando in 2019 from Russian side FC Krasnodar, the 33-year-old became one of the league's most underrated creative midfielders with the ability to pick out a pass from anywhere on the field while also delivering from set pieces.

In four-and-a-half seasons with the Lions, the club captain made 135 appearances across all competitions to go along with seven goals and 47 assists. Pereyra notched 12 league assists in 2023, the most during his tenure with the central Florida side and was tied for sixth-most in MLS in that category.

"Mauricio has embodied Orlando City since the moment he arrived to the Club, and we’re very thankful for everything he has given to us, our fans and the community," said Orlando City executive vice president of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi in a release.

"His contributions and impact to our organization will be felt for years to come, and we wish him and his family the best of luck in this next chapter of their lives."

Pereyra helped Orlando to four consecutive playoff appearances from 2020-2023 following his brief introduction to MLS in 2019 when the team finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Pereyra was also key to the team's first appearance in the Concacaf Champions League earlier this year when the team fell to Liga MX's Tigres 1-1 on away goals.

"Thank you to everyone for these four years together. It was a pleasure to belong to this family and I am so thankful to every person that works for this club and that has helped this team grow and win titles from their place," Pereyra said.

"I was honored and proud to be given the captain’s armband and, of course, thanks to the technical staff and my teammates who helped me to become better as a player, but more so made me feel loved and made me a better person. I’ll miss you, but from this next season and beyond you’ll have one more fan that will wish nothing but the best for you. I love you and thank you."

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