Matías Pérez García Says Goodbye to Orlando on Social Media

Two days before the expiration of his contract with Orlando City SC, Matías Pérez García announced his departure from the club. According to a post on his Instagram account, the Argentinean midfielder did not reach an agreement on a new deal with the club and will leave the Lions.

“We did not reach an agreement and it’s time to say goodbye to Orlando. I would like to thank everybody for the love I got here. Thanks to my teammates for the moments we lived together and for the technical staff. Let’s wait for what’s coming next and hope it’s the better,” he said in the message.

The timing of the post is curious, considering there is a game Friday at Real Salt Lake and MPG is still under contract.

The Argentinean playmaker was acquired by the Lions less than a year ago in the first move the club made after Head Coach Jason Kreis took over. To get MPG, the Lions sent defensive midfielder Darwin Cerén to the San Jose Earthquakes in a trade.

Over his 11 months with Orlando City, Pérez García has played in 28 matches (21 starts) and amassed one goal and four assists. His lone goal came less than two weeks ago against the Montreal Impact. His departure, should it be confirmed, will clear around $260,000 from the club’s cap space and a coveted international slot.

MPG first revealed he could leave the Lions 10 days ago, after the 3-3 tie with the Montreal Impact, when he made public his contract was about to expire. At that point, he expressed his intention to remain with the club. In recent days, Kreis has expressed interest in keeping MPG but intimated the sides were not on the same page in terms of salary discussions.

We will continue to follow this story as it develops.