Photo: Columbus Crew SC
Major League Soccer outfits Orlando City SC land Egypt international defender Amro Tarek on a one-year loan with an option-to-buy from Wadi Degla.
The California-born player is set to return to MLS with Orlando City after having a rather unsuccessful loan spell at Columbus Crew SC in 2016 managing to feature in only one game for the Black & Gold.
“We are pleased to welcome Amro on loan. He’s an athletic left-footed center back who will add competition to our defensive group. His familiarity with MLS and hunger to succeed will allow him to transition well into Orlando,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said.
The Pharaoh started his career in Germany where he played for 1. FC Magdeburg II before moving to SC Freiburg II and VfL Wolfsburg II. He then returned to Egypt to join El Gouna FC where he played for two years before trying his luck again abroad but this time in Spain with Real Betis.
Tarek was not given a chance for Betis and was shipped off on loan for the second half of the 2015/16 season at Columbus Crew. Having made only one appearance there, the left-footed center-back returned to the Egyptian Premier League with Enppi in 2016. One year later he joined Wadi Degla.
The 25-year-old featured only 11 times for Wadi Degla this season. He has one cap for the Pharaohs after taking part in a in 3-0 friendly win over Togo in 2017.
The Orlando Lions have the option to buy Tarek after his loan spell ends pending receipt of his ITC.
Orlando City kick-off their MLS season on the 4th of March against D.C. United. Tarek becomes the third Egyptian player to move to the United States after Aly Ghazal joined Vancouver Whitecaps and Omar Gaber joined Los Angeles F.C.
