Ex-Man United winger Nani joins Orlando City of MLS
FILE – In this Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, Lazio’s Nani, top, and Udinese’s Bram Nuytinck go for the ball during a soccer match in Rome, Italy. Former Manchester United winger Nani has become the latest 30-plus star to join Major League Soccer after a career in Europe, agreeing to a three-year contract with Orlando City. The team said Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, that Nani was given a free transfer from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon and will be a designated player who counts only partially against the team’s salary cap. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
ORLANDO, Florida — Former Manchester United winger Nani has become the latest 30-plus star to join Major League Soccer after a career in Europe, agreeing to a three-year contract with Orlando City.
The team said Monday that Nani was given a free transfer from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon and will be a designated player who counts only partially against the team’s salary cap.
Nani served as Portugal’s captain after Cristiano Ronaldo was hurt during the first half of the extra-time victory over France in the 2016 European Championship final. He has 24 goals in 112 international appearances, including a goal against the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup.
He has played for Sporting Lisbon (2005-07, 2014-15 and 2018-19), Manchester United (2007-14), Turkey’s Fenerbahce (2015-16), Spain’s Valencia (2016-17) and Italy’s Lazio (2017-18). He won four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League with Manchester United.
