They’re the second oldest football club in the world. They’re firmly entrenched in the English Premier League. And now, they’re Orlando City’s newest partner.
Orlando City announced last Friday that the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with Stoke City, allowing for player loans and transfers, opportunities for friendly matches and access to each other’s scouting networks.
“If you look at the English Premier League, there’s very few clubs that have done as good a job over the last few years in recruiting as Stoke have done,” Orlando City President and Founder Phil Rawlins said.
It’s similar to the agreement City struck with Portuguese side SL Benfica back in 2014, which brought defender Rafael Ramos to Orlando.