MLS club Orlando City officially announced the signing of Luis Muriel from Atalanta as part of their transfer window proceedings. The striker spent an illustrious decade in the Serie A, playing for five clubs and scoring 103 league goals.
Luis Muriel was first brought in by Udinese during their golden era from scouting from Colombian side Deportivo Cali. Before playing for the Udine-based outfits, he was loaned out to Pantaleo Corvino’s Lecce where he scored seven goals in 29 appearances.
The Colombian was then loaned to Sampdoria and during the Friulani-Blucerchiati exchanges, he mustered a total of 84 appearances and scored 24 goals. The permanent transfer to Sampdoria made him an influential member of their squad and earned him a transfer to La Liga side Sevilla. However, he only lasted there for two seasons and could only gain 35 appearances.
Muriel returned to Italy with a transfer to Fiorentina where he netted six times while starring only in 19 games. After redeeming himself with the Viola, the striker moved to Atalanta where he would go on to stay for five consecutive seasons. 184 appearances, some of which came on the European stage, 68 goals and 28 assists marked the pinnacle of his career with the Bergamo-based side.
Players like Luis Muriel who keep their heads down and works to improve themselves come once in a while. The 32-year-old has made an impact for whichever team he played for and never ceased to amaze us with his unselfishness and all-inclusive forward gameplay.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
