Wilder Cartagena will continue with Orlando City next season. The Lions announced on Wednesday that Cartagena signed a new contract through 2026. The deal also includes an option for 2027. It’s unclear, however, if Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) will be used toward the player’s salary. News of the deal comes as Cartagena is out of contract at the end of the year, having initially joined the team during the summer of 2022. Cartagena, 31, missed all of the 2025 season after suffering an Achilles injury during a preseason game on Jan. 25 against Atletico Mineiro at Inter&Co Stadium. That injury dealt a major blow to Orlando’s midfield heading into the 2025 regular season, which ultimately led to the Lions struggling to field a consistent midfield duo. Colombian Eduard Atuesta provided the team with a much-needed boost on the defensive and offensive side of things, but the midfielder also endured some time out because of injury. Cesar Araujo, the team’s de facto starting midfielder who was often paired with Cartagena, also dealt with injuries throughout the season. Araujo is also out of contact at the end of the year and is reportedly not coming back next season. While the rookie out of Clemson, Joran Gerbet, showcased an impressive first season but suffered two injury periods, with the most recent one a torn ACL last month. Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.
Wilder Cartagena will continue with Orlando City next season.
The Lions announced on Wednesday that Cartagena signed a new contract through 2026. The deal also includes an option for 2027.
It’s unclear, however, if Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) will be used toward the player’s salary.
News of the deal comes as Cartagena is out of contract at the end of the year, having initially joined the team during the summer of 2022.
Cartagena, 31, missed all of the 2025 season after suffering an Achilles injury during a preseason game on Jan. 25 against Atletico Mineiro at Inter&Co Stadium.
That injury dealt a major blow to Orlando’s midfield heading into the 2025 regular season, which ultimately led to the Lions struggling to field a consistent midfield duo.
Colombian Eduard Atuesta provided the team with a much-needed boost on the defensive and offensive side of things, but the midfielder also endured some time out because of injury.
Cesar Araujo, the team’s de facto starting midfielder who was often paired with Cartagena, also dealt with injuries throughout the season.
Araujo is also out of contact at the end of the year and is reportedly not coming back next season.
While the rookie out of Clemson, Joran Gerbet, showcased an impressive first season but suffered two injury periods, with the most recent one a torn ACL last month.
Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.