Official: Miami International signs Ecuadorian center Alan Obando on loan with buyout clause

Miami International officially announced that 18-year-old Ecuadorian center Allen Ovando has joined on loan from Barcelona SC. His lease in Miami will last until the end of this season, and the contract includes a buyout clause.

If Miami International does not exercise the buyout option, Ovando will move to Atletico Madrid for $4 million.

After completing the signing, Ovando said: "I am very happy to take on new challenges and continue my career at such an excellent club as Miami International. I am ready to go all out, keep growing and help my teammates and the club fight for our goals this season."

Alan Ovando joined the Barcelona SC youth training in Guayaquil, Ecuador at the age of 10, and made his debut for the first team in the Ecuadorian Spring League on August 8, 2022. So far, he has made 23 appearances for Barcelona SC, scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists.

On March 21, 2024, Ovando made his national team debut in a friendly match where Ecuador defeated Guatemala 2-0. However, he has only played twice for Ecuador so far and missed the 2024 America's Cup and the subsequent 2026 World Cup South American qualifiers.

In Miami International's tactical system, Obando is mainly positioned as a backup center for Luis Suarez. In order to complete this transaction, Miami International paid Vancouver Whitecaps $150,000 in general allocation funds (GAM) in exchange for Obando's discovery priority.

According to an official statement, Ovando will wear the No. 29 jersey at Miami International.