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Antoine Griezmann is traveling to Orlando to sign with MLS club Orlando City during the summer transfer period, based on multiple reports, and may make his debut in the team's opening match following the 2026 World Cup.
The 35-year-old French forward departed for Florida on Sunday, as initially reported by MARCA, with Atlético Madrid giving approval for his journey to the United States to complete an agreement with the Lions that would bring him to the club in July.
Based on the report, the 2018 World Cup champion would be contracted through the 2027–28 MLS season, which represents the first complete campaign under the new schedule that matches Europe's premier leagues. MLS will start transitioning to the new format in 2027 with a 14-match abbreviated season, spanning from February through May.
Through his move to Orlando, Griezmann will become the franchise's most notable international star in ten years, with the organization having previously featured Ballon d'Or recipient and Brazilian icon Kaká as its headline signing from 2014 to 2017.
Although he will be permitted to execute a preliminary contract, he cannot participate in a match for Orlando until the MLS secondary transfer window opens on July 13. Therefore, his earliest possible debut for the team would be July 22 versus Timo Werner's San Jose Earthquakes, though he would not have a scheduled regular-season encounter against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Griezmann has spent his complete club career in Spain's La Liga with Atlético Madrid, Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, accumulating 792 appearances and netting 298 goals. He has also recorded 44 goals and 38 assists with France before stepping away from international competition in 2024.
Joining the Stars in MLS
Griezmann's journey to the U.S. to finalize his contract seems to be the pivotal moment in an extended, prolonged negotiation, which originally saw Orlando pursue his services for the winter transfer window before the Frenchman chose to remain with Atlético through the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League campaigns.
The experienced forward would unite with fellow 2018 World Cup champion Hugo Lloris in MLS, with the goalkeeper currently performing for LAFC.
Simultaneously, he would join the ranks of Inter Miami's Messi and Luis Suárez, Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Müller, LAFC's Son Heung-min, Minnesota United's James Rodríguez and San Jose's Werner as prominent international superstars in MLS.
By ultimately signing with Orlando, he also concluded numerous rumors throughout the years that connected him to clubs including LAFC, the LA Galaxy, Inter Miami and CF Montréal.
Through his arrival at Orlando City, Griezmann enters a restructuring MLS franchise that is seeking its identity and future direction after separating from longtime head coach Óscar Pareja just three matches into the 2026 season. Following five games, the club stands 13th in the Eastern Conference with only one victory and four defeats—including two 5–0 losses in their previous three contests.