After more than a year without a general manager, Orlando City officially promoted Niki Budalic to the position Wednesday.
Budalic served as assistant general manager in conjunction with club president Phil Rawlins since he joined the team in January. Rawlins told the Orlando Sentinel in October the plan was to eventually promote Budalic rather than hire from outside the organization. His new title is general manager of soccer operations.
“I want to congratulate Niki on this well-deserved promotion,” Rawlins said in a statement released by the club. “I’ve known Niki for many years, and I am confident in his work ethic, player scouting intelligence and negotiating experience as he leads soccer operations during an important year for us in our new home stadium.