ORLANDO, Fla. — Midfielder Wilder Cartagena agreed to a one-year contract option through the 2026 season, and Orlando City holds an option for 2027, the club announced Wednesday.
Cartagena originally joined the Lions on loan in 2022 and then signed a regular contract with the Major League Soccer club before the 2023 campaign. Since then, he has made 70 starts in 80 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and adding three assists.
Two of those goals were game-winners in 2023, helping secure victories in the Leagues Cup against Santos Laguna and in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs against Nashville SC. He also played a pivotal role in the club’s run to its first MLS-era trophy in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“Wilder is one of those players who brings so much more than just his performance on the pitch,” Orlando City SC General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said. “He’s a true leader in our locker room; someone our players look to both in moments of intensity and in everyday preparation. His experience at the international level and his commitment to excellence make everyone around him better. We’re proud to have him back. He was missed in our 2025 campaign and know he’ll continue to be a driving force in our pursuit of success and championships.”
Cartagena is also a midfielder on the Peruvian National Team, earning 40 caps in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Copa America and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Before coming to Orlando City, he also played for Vitória Setúbal FC in Portugal, Universidad San Martín in Peru, Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz in Mexico, CD Godoy Cruz in Argentina and Al-Ittihad Kalba SC in the United Arab Emirates.