Antoine Griezmann always said he would go to America. He manifested it publicly for years. On March 24, Orlando City SC made it official — and MLS got one of the finest forwards of the modern era.


Griezmann, 35, has signed a designated player contract with Orlando City beginning July 2026, running through the 2027-28 season with an option for 2028-29. He will join the club when MLS's secondary transfer window opens, pending medical clearance and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa. He will wear the No. 7 — the same number he wore at Atlético and with France.


The Career He Brings


The numbers are staggering for a player now entering the final chapter. Griezmann has scored 298 goals and registered 132 assists across 792 professional appearances for Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona. He is Atlético's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals in 488 matches — a record that will stand for generations.


At international level, he won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, earning the Bronze Ball and Silver Boot in the process. He scored in the final. He also finished as runner-up in 2022, helping Les Bleus reach the final before their defeat to Argentina. He retired from international football in 2024 with 44 goals — fourth in France's all-time scoring charts — across 137 caps.


This season at Atlético he has contributed 13 goals and four assists across all competitions. At 35, he is still functioning at a high level.


What Orlando Are Getting


Orlando City have had a miserable start to the 2026 MLS season — one win in five games, 17 goals conceded, and the sacking of long-serving head coach Oscar Pareja after a 5-0 loss at New York City FC. They are a club in need of everything Griezmann represents: quality, leadership, experience and global profile.


He will join a designated player trio alongside Croatian international Marco Pašalić and Argentine playmaker Martín Ojeda. Whether that constitutes a title-challenging squad is debatable. Whether Griezmann's arrival transforms the club's commercial profile is not.


Before He Leaves


Griezmann will finish his Atlético chapter first. He still has Copa del Rey final business on April 18 against Real Sociedad — a chance to win one last trophy before he goes. Atlético are also in the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona. He has more to give before the summer.


But the announcement is made. The chapter is written. Florida awaits.