ORLANDO, Fla. (May 17, 2025) – Orlando City SC has signed Orlando City Academy and Orlando City B product Zakaria Taifi to a First Team contract as a Homegrown Player through 2026, with Club options in 2027, 2028 and 2029, it was announced today.
“Taifi is a player that represents exactly what we envision when we talk about going through the steps and completing our player development pathway,” said Orlando City SC General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira. “He’s been in our academy system since he was nine years old, has worked his way up through each age group, put his time in with Orlando City B and has proven himself at each level. He’s Orlando City through and through and we’re excited for him to join the First Team and take that next step.”
A product of the Orlando City Academy, Taifi featured 44 times for Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro since 2023, starting 23 of those matches, providing three assists and scoring his first goal for OCB earlier this season. The defender made his First Team debut earlier this season in the Club’s draw at CF Montréal and also featured for the Lions in their 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last week.
Taifi, 19, was a key piece of the Orlando City Academy U-17 team that won MLS NEXT Cup in 2021, with the defender joining the Lions’ academy in 2015. Taifi also spent time as part of the Club’s Youth Soccer Network, developing his game with Orlando City Soccer School – Seminole, prior to joining the Academy.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs defender Zakaria Taifi to a First Team contract as a Homegrown player through 2026, with Club options in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Zakaria Taifi (za-ka-REE-ah TYE-fee)
Number: 96
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Born: October 1, 2005, in Orlando, Fla.
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Citizenship: USA
