Orlando City SC has acquired 27-year-old midfielder Wilder Cartagena on loan, it was announced today. The midfielder last played at Al-Ittihad Kalba SC of United Arab Emirates’ UAE Pro League. Cartagena joins the Lions on loan through the end of the 2022 season with an option to extend an additional year through 2023, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and ITC.
“Wilder is a player that brings valuable high-level experience to the table and will add strong defensive depth for us in the midfield,” said EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi. “His time at various clubs around the world and on the international stage have given him a wealth of knowledge about the game and we’re excited to have him with us now in The City Beautiful.”
A product of Alianza Lima in Peru, Cartagena has spent time at Vitória Setúbal FC (POR), Universidad San Martín (PER), Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz (MEX) and CD Godoy Cruz (ARG) before completing his transfer to Al-Ittihad Kalba SC in July of 2021.
The Lima, Peru native has totaled seven goals and seven assists across 238 appearances in all competitions since beginning his professional career in January 2012. The 27-year-old midfielder has made 18 appearances to date, many of which alongside his now Orlando city teammate Pedro Gallese for the Peruvian National Team since making his debut for Peru in a FIFA World Cup Qualification match against Ecuador on Sept. 5, 2017, a 2-1 win for Los Incas. Cartagena has so far featured in World Cup qualifiers, Copa America and the 2018 World Cup for Peru.