Orlando City's first Designated Player is also going to be their first captain in Major League Soccer.
Orlando City announced Tuesday morning that Kaká will serve as the club's skipper during its inaugural season in MLS. The former FIFA World Player of the year will officially don the captain's armband for the first time on March 8, when the Lions welcome fellow expansion side New York City FC to the Citrus Bowl for a highly-anticipated showdown (5 pm ET, ESPN 2).
"Kaká 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 preseason so he was the natural pick to skipper the club," head coach Adrian Heath said in a statement.
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"[Kaka's] role will extend off the pitch as well, serving as the team's liaison with the front office and coaching staff on all player-related concerns to ensure we provide the best possible environment for the players to train, develop and succeed personally and professionally."
The move to make the 32-year-old captain on a full-time basis shouldn't come as much of a surprise to Orlando City's players, staff or fans. The Brazilian playmaker has worn the armband this preseason, and he boasts tremendous experience after playing for powerhouse European clubs like Real Madrid and AC Milan, and Brazil's national team.
