On July 21, 2016, Orlando City acquired Uruguayan defender Jose Aja via the Discovery process on a six-month loan with an option to buy. Aja had been on loan at the Uruguayan side Racing Club de Montevideo for six months from Club Nacional de Football before coming to Orlando. Orlando City was looking for help along the back line, and the young defender had the physical skills and international experience the team needed.
It took four weeks before Aja saw the field; adjusting to a new city, new team, and like the rest of the Lions at that time, a new coach in Jason Kreis.