Duncan McGuire, Orlando City Soccer’s rockstar striker and USMNT “debutant” (as The Athletic puts it) was set to transfer to English Football League’s Blackburn Rovers this year, causing ripples of mixed emotions in The City Beautiful with some who were happy to see the local star get called up and others mourning the Duncan-shaped hole that would be left behind. But a series of unfortunate events changed those plans.
“It has always been very important for our Club to find and provide the best opportunities for players to continue making strides in their career, and this situation with Duncan was no different. Duncan is a player who, from the time we drafted him until now, grew quickly over the course of the year. We’re happy to have found an opportunity for him to play in England, an ask he made of the Club to accomplish a personal goal of his.
– LUIZ MUZZI, EVP OF SOCCER OPERATIONS AND GENERAL MANAGER, ORLANDO CITY SC
Blackburn’s first attempt to court McGuire came in the form of a permanent transfer deal that the ownership team in India, Venky’s, a poultry and pharmaceutical company, eventually had to call off due to insufficient funds. A second stab at the deal in the shape of a long-term loan also came to an abrupt end shortly after when the Rovers failed to file transfer paperwork with the English Football League before the deadline because somebody hit “save” instead of “submit.” And just like that, an administrative error had dashed McGuire’s move to England.
On February 8, following the decision by the EFL Board to deny an appeal by the Blackburn Rovers to push the deal forward despite missing the deadline, Orlando City announced that McGuire would be returning to its roster for 2024 – a roster that already features a striker-heavy lineup of Luis Muriel, Ramiro Enrique, and Jack Lynn.
“We understand and sympathize with Duncan’s situation over the last week. He is still an important part of our Club and we are committed to providing him with a platform for his growth. We look forward to welcoming him back into our environment soon.“
– ORLANDO CITY SOCCER
And just when things looked settled, McGuire’s agent, Chris Megaloudis, took to social media with the following post. Leaving many to wonder what sort of hullabaloo could happen next.
