ORLANDO, February 25-Brazilian playmaker Kaka, the 2007 world player of the year, has been appointed captain of Orlando City when the new club makes its Major League Soccer debut next week.
The team announced Tuesday that Kaka will take on the role when Orlando plays host to fellow MLS expansion newcomer New York City FC on March 8 at the Citrus Bowl.
“Kaka has demonstrated great leadership both on the field and in the locker room since the start, and the other players have naturally looked to his guidance throughout pre-season, so he was the natural pick to skipper the club,” Orlando coach Adrian Heath said.
The 32-year-old standout played for AC Milan from 2003 to 2009 and again last season around a four-year stint at Real Madrid.
He was a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002 and won the Champions League with Milan in 2007 as well as the Spanish title with Real in 2012 amongst other honours.
Orlando City have also signed central defender Seb Hines, on loan, from English Championship side Middlesbrough with an option to extend.
The 26-year-old Englishman has scored four goals in 100 matches for Middlesbrough as well as loan spells at fellow English clubs Oldham and Coventry City.
“We’re very pleased to have Seb join us,” Heath said. “His experience will be very valuable for our team’s competitive position in our first MLS season.”
