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Sigma's Laryea Goes To Orlando City SC

By lo admin, 01/14/16, 9:45AM EST

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A central midfielder in Sigma FC's 2015 League1 Ontario squad, and a 2015 League1 Ontario all-star, Richmond Laryea made an impact at Thursday's MLS SuperDraft after being selected by Orlando City SC.

As the first round, seventh pick overall, Laryea was the top Canadian drafted at the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. 

Previously a sophomore player with the University of Akron Zips, Laryea signed a Generation Adidas contract last week that allowed the player to be eligible for the draft. Laryea completed a breakout 2015 season with the Zips, racking up 11 goals and seven assists en route to the College Cup semi-final. 

As a Generation Adidas player, Laryea was one of the most coveted players in the MLS SuperDraft, and followed in the footsteps of fellow Sigma product Cyle Larin, who also signed a Generation Adidas contract in 2015 and went to Orlando City SC.

Larin had a phenomenal first season at his new club, scoring 17 goals in 27 games to break the record of most goals ever scored by a rookie, and was ultimately chosen 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year.  

"We just think [Laryea's] upside is enormous," said Orlando City SC head coach, Stuart Heath, in an interview with Canadian Press. "We've watched him very very closely.

"Obviously [there's] the fact that he's big friends with Cyle. We've know about him for a long long time. He and Cyle go back a long way. We just hope he has the same impact that Cyle's had. If he does, we'll have a very good first pick."

Laryea joins a squad full of international talent and prestige at Orlando City, notably Brazilian Kaka, Colombian Carlos Rivas, Honduran forward Bryan Rochez, and American Brek Shea.