€3.5m plus add-ons
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Orlando City SC have sold defender Alex Freeman to LaLiga side Villarreal for €3.5 million plus €2.5m in add-ons. Orlando City could receive an additional 15% of any future transfer. Freeman becomes the third biggest outgoing transfer in Orlando City’s club history. The 21-year-old is also the most expensive academy product the club has sold.
“Alex’s journey is a testament to the strength of our academy, OCB, and the pathway we’ve built,” Orlando City sporting director Ricardo Moreira said. “He showed maturity and commitment at every level, rising from a young prospect to an MLS All-Star and one of the league’s top emerging talents. Watching his development up close has been incredibly rewarding for all of us at the Club. We’re proud of everything Alex has accomplished here and wish him continued success as he takes this next step in his professional career.”
Villarreal, in the meantime, have a track record of signing MLS players. The current squad includes Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi. The former was developed by the New England Revolution and moved to Villarreal after playing for Belgian club Brugge and Italian giants Inter Milan. Oluwaseyi was signed from Minnesota United in a deal worth €8m last summer. Another prominent MLS connection is Jozy Altidore. The former USMNT player was signed by Villarreal from the New York Red Bulls in 2008.
Freeman to Villarreal – More than a long-term project?
Without a doubt, joining Villarreal will be a massive opportunity for Freeman. Although they have struggled in the Champions League, where they were smashed by Bayer Leverkusen (3-0) to finish with just one point from eight games, Villarreal have been in good form in LaLiga, where they sit fourth. Indeed, there has been a big discrepancy between Villarreal’s domestic and European form.
Without European football, how much will Freeman play? In Pau Navarro and Santiago Mouriño, Villarreal already have two other right-backs under contract. Mouriño arrived on loan from Atlético this winter and has since played regularly. This suggests that Villarreal see Freeman as a long-term project rather than short-term help.