Replacing a club legend is never easy, and Orlando City has plenty of experience in that department.

Kaká left in 2017, and what followed was one of the worst seasons in club history. The Lions learned their lesson when Nani left in 2021, bringing in Facundo Torres as his replacement.

It only took Torres three seasons to claim his title as Orlando City’s all-time leading scorer. Now, it has to replace the talisman after he departed for Palmeiras in Brazil in the offseason.

The player they’ve brought in to fill the void is Croatian international Marco Pašalić.

Born in Germany, Pašalić spent time with Borussia Dortmund before spending the last two years playing for Croatian side HNK Rijeka. He brings a fiery spirit and a mean left foot, which should make him a potent weapon.

“It was an easy option for me to decide on. I want to come here to take the next step here in Orlando and show what I can do,” Pašalić said. “I play with heart and I am a fighter on the field, my left foot is my weapon, as well as my dribbling, and I hope to show that here.”

Pašalić seems ready to deal with the pressure of replacing such an iconic player. His only goal is to win, and that fits well with a team that reached the MLS Eastern Conference final in 2024.

“My expectation is that we win everything. I like to win,” Pašalić said. “To have this feeling in the dressing room for the team and for the fans, it’s very important.”

Pašalić looked comfortable in the preseason. He fit in well with Orlando City’s fluid attack against Inter Miami last weekend, showing that it is not taking him long to build chemistry with teammates.

His first real test is this weekend against Philadelphia, and he will look to hit the ground running as MLS’ season begins.