Transfer Tracker

Orlando City fully acquire Wilder Cartagena

Wilder Cartagena - Orlando full transfer

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

Peru international midfielder Wilder Cartagena is sticking with Orlando City SC, as the club announced Thursday theyā€™ve signed him through the 2025 MLS season.

Cartagena, 29, was previously on loan at Orlando from Al-Ittihad Kalba FC, who compete in the United Arab Emiratesā€™ UAE Pro League.

"Wilder stepped up a lot for us in the last couple years, bringing a veteran experience to our midfield that added a lot of strength and set us up for success last season,ā€ Luiz Muzzi, Orlandoā€™s EVP of soccer operations and general manager, said in a statement.

ā€œBringing him back to Orlando after his loan expired was a key part of our plans for next season and beyond, and weā€™re happy to be able to get him back here and locked in with us.ā€

Since joining Orlando, Cartagena has added 3g/2a in 41 appearances across all competitions. He was part of their US Open Cup-winning side in 2022 and scored a memorable long-range golazo against Nashville SC in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Cartagena has made 29 appearances for Peru, often playing alongside Orlando teammate Pedro Gallese. He is chasing a 2024 Copa AmƩrica roster spot and a second World Cup trip after playing at Russia 2018.

In 2024, Orlando will play in the Concacaf Champions Cup after earning last season's second-best MLS record (63 points; 18W-7L-9D).