Orlando City SC captain Robin Jansson announced Friday he will retire as a player at the end of the 2026 MLS season.
The 34-year-old Swedish defender joined the Lions in 2019 and holds team records for games, starts and minutes. He helped the club advance to the MLS Cup playoffs in seven consecutive years, including this season.
The longest-tenured player in Orlando City history has collected seven goals and eight assists in 263 games (256 starts) across all competitions.
“Robin will always hold a special place in the history of this club, and for me personally, because he was the first player I signed for Orlando City,” sporting director and general manager Ricardo Moreira said. “From the moment he arrived, he embraced everything this club stands for and grew into one of the most important figures in our history.
“He is a club legend, not only because of his performances and accomplishments, but because of the person, leader and teammate he has been throughout his time here. We love Robin and his family, and we wish them nothing but happiness and success in this next chapter of his life.”
Jansson has led Orlando City to seven consecutive playoff berths and helped the club collect its first trophy at the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“First, I want to say it’s been a pleasure to wear this jersey and fight for this crest. When I signed here eight seasons ago, I didn’t know I would be here for that long,” Jansson said. “Together, we set new standards and brought home the club’s first trophy of the MLS era. I was proud and honored to be given the captain’s armband along the way. I’ve really enjoyed it and have been doing what I love for so many years at the same club.
“I have been treated very well during my time here, and it has become a place I can call home and will always be connected to. But now it’s time to step aside and retire from the game I grew up loving and dreaming about. Yes, I’ve been living my dream. I want to say a huge thank you to the technical staff and players I have worked with throughout the years for helping make me better. I wish the club nothing but success in the future, and you will always have a supporter in me.”
Orlando City will have a postgame farewell ceremony for Jansson following Saturday’s regular-season home finale against the New England Revolution.
–Field Level Media
