Palmeiras secures its first major signing for the 2025 season: Facundo Torres, a 24-year-old Uruguayan forward and standout performer for Orlando City over the past three seasons. The deal, valued at around $12 million, marks the club’s largest transfer to a Brazilian team in Major League Soccer history.
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The rise of Torres
Facundo Torres joined Orlando City in 2022 after an impressive stint at Peñarol, where he scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in 71 matches. At the time, the Lions invested $7.5 million to secure the left-footed midfielder. It was a bold gamble, but one that paid off almost immediately. Torres quickly proved his worth and became a cornerstone of the team.
Over the course of three MLS seasons, Torres compiled amazing statistics: 47 goals, 19 assists. He reached an apex in 2024, scoring 20 goals and adding 6 assists in 44 matches; the form that attracted the international clubs, particularly Palmeiras and Cruz Azul of Mexico, to his game. Ultimately, Palmeiras beat out the Liga MX side for the forward's services in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
Tactical versatility, attacking intelligence
One of the standout things with Facundo Torres is how tactically versatile he has proven to be. Left-footed, he works just as well on both wings. At Orlando City, Torres was effective on both the right and left wings, blending in speed, vision, and decision-making with precision.
When positioned on the left flank, as was often the case this season, Torres frequently used his technique to cut inside on diagonal runs, either aiming a precise shot on goal or delivering decisive passes. This adaptability made him a crucial figure in Orlando's attacking system.
Torres' importance to Orlando City
The club, which took a chance on the Uruguayan's talent, now celebrates a record-breaking transfer to Palmeiras. A deal of this size and scope only continues to build MLS' growing reputation as a league that develops and showcases players who can command global interest. For Orlando City, though, Torres' departure is a massive hurdle to overcome. He didn't just wear the symbolic number 10 jersey; he embodied leadership and consistency both on and off the field. Replacing a player of Torres' caliber-influential and with such settled numbers-will require more grit from the management to ensure Orlando remains competitive.
In his three years in the United States, Facundo Torres has been one of the best players for Orlando City and among the most in-form players in MLS; his year-by-year progress eloquently tells about the rise:
- 2022-40 matches, 13 goals, 9 assists.
- 2023: 39 matches, 14 goals, 4 assists
- 2024: 44 matches, 20 goals, 6 assists
Torres, however, was not such a player. He perfectly fit into the mold of skills combined with consistency. Torres leaves behind a legacy of more than just these stats, showing how MLS will soon be an important link to develop players from around the globe.