Former Arsenal attacker and World Cup star signs with surging MLS club

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Orlando City SC have already emerged as a tough-as-nails club with the best young striker in MLS (Cyle Larin) and the ability to win even without star midfielder Kaka. But the second-year club is continuing their push to make the MLS Cup Playoffs this season by adding a talented attacker to their ranks: Brazilian attacking midfielder Julio Baptista.

Kaka posted a welcoming message to Baptista on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, expressing excitement in reuniting with his former Sao Paulo and Brazil national squad teammate.

Baptista played four seasons at Sao Paulo before moving to Sevilla, Real Madrid, Roma, Malaga and Cruzeiro during an over 15-year career. He spent the 2006-07 season with Arsenal on a loan spell, scoring 10 goals in 35 total matches.

As a Brazilian winger, Baptista scored five goals in 47 caps for his home country, winning two FIFA Confederations Cups and two Copa America titles from 2001 to 2010. However, he was left off the 2006 World Cup title-winning squad due to poor form that season.

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