U.S. men’s national team players are migrating back to the United States.
On Tuesday, Shaq Moore signed with Nashville SC.
On Wednesday it was Nicholas Gioacchini’s turn as he signed with Orlando City SC.
The MLS club acquired Gioacchini from Stade Malherbe Caen of France’s Ligue 2. The 21-year-old winger-forward joined the Lions on a two-and-a-half year contract with a Club option in 2025, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“Niko is an exciting young player that has a great ability to break lines and has a keen eye for goal,” Orlando City EVP of soccer operations and general manager Luiz Muzzi said in a statement. “He’s begun to work his way into the national team pool already and we look forward to him furthering his young career with us here in Orlando.”
Added Gioacchini: “[Orlando is] a place where I felt at home. A Club with a history of being very family-like and the fans. … The fans, the stadium, it’s a place where there’s a lot of energy and that’s for sure a part of the reason I decided to come. [Playing in MLS is] one of the parts I’m most excited about. Coming home, that feeling of coming back to my home country and getting the experience to play against the rising MLS and being a part of it. That’s a great feeling.”
A product of Paris FC’s youth academy system, Gioacchini joined SM Caen prior to its 2019 Ligue 2 season, most recently spending the 2021-22 season on loan at Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1. Gioacchini has totaled 88 appearances, with 12 goals and four assists across all competitions in his pro career.
A native of Kansas City, Mo., Gioacchini has played for the USMNT, making his senior debut on Nov. 12, 2020 in a scoreless draw against Wales. Gioacchini has registered eight caps, scoring three goals and providing two assists for the U.S., including five appearances, one goal and one assist in the Gold Cup.
