Minnesota United confirms signing of Orlando City goal scorer Kevin Molino

CASA GRANDE, ARIZ. – Adrian Heath still remembers the day he discovered Kevin Molino down in Trinidad and Tobago.

The coach was there to scout a center forward, but this other player on the wing just kept catching his eye.

Heath ended up signing the midfielder in 2011 for his Orlando City SC in the United Soccer League, and he became the league MVP in 2012 and 2014 before the club made Molino its first signing as a Major League Soccer team in 2015.

Now, Molino will reunite with Heath as Minnesota United FC's marquee signing ahead of its inaugural MLS season.

United announced Thursday it had acquired Molino as well as goalkeeper Patrick McLain from Orlando in exchange for $650,000. That includes $450,000 in general allocation money and $200,000 in targeted allocation money. Orlando will also retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Molino if United were to transfer him outside the league.

Both Molino and McLain will join the Loons in Arizona for preseason camp.

Molino, 26, was Orlando's all-time leading scorer (42) and assists leader (31) and also tallied the second-most appearances (140) and minutes (10,751). He has also played for Trinidad and Tobago's national team since 2010, amassing 35 caps, or appearances, and 16 goals, including two hat tricks, at the international level. The amount of money involved in the 5-8, 155-pounder's acquisition is considerable for an MLS transaction.

When Heath was named United's coach in late November after Orlando fired him this past July, he said from his "very first day" that if United could sign Molino, it would be an "incredible pickup."

"For me, it's the best signing we could have made," Heath said. "It's funny, I saw a tweet, somebody said, '[United's] giving an awful lot up.' But you have to if you want to get the best player in the league in his position, and I think that's what we've got.

"At some stages, we didn't think it was going to get done; for obvious reasons, they don't want to lose a really top player," Heath said. "But the league being what it is, it's a good amount of money."

Heath said he knows "everything" about Molino, having worked with him every day for five years and sharing a close relationship as an off-the-field mentor as well as coach. The coach said Molino has a great feel for the game, can score as well as create opportunities and does a little bit of everything. He also said he's never met someone who loves playing the sport as much as Molino does.

Assistant coach Ian Fuller, who also worked with Molino for years in Orlando, called Molino "the most talented individual" he's ever been around, someone who needs to be seen "up close and personal" to be truly appreciated.

"I think his dress sense takes a little bit to be desired," Heath said, while Fuller termed Molino's fashion as "flamboyant."

Where it counts, though, Heath said he knows Molino can fit into his 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation by playing any of the attacking forward roles. Molino has played on the wings or as the No. 10 — the playmaker or attacking midfielder. Orlando General Manager Niki Budalic said in a statement that Molino had "expressed his desire to leave the club," and the team made the difficult decision to trade him, which was the best for Orlando.

"I know what Adrian expects from me," Molino said in a statement, "and I am really excited to join the club and build a relationship with my new teammates, coaches and the fans. I want to help this team reach the limit."

McLain, 28, is 6-3, 205 pounds and a native of Eau Claire, Wis. He played minimal time for Chivas USA in 2012 and 2013 before spending the next two seasons in the USL with the Orange County Blues and Sacramento Republic FC, where he became the full-time starter. He then played one match for Chicago Fire in 2016 before Orlando took him in the re-entry draft this past December. The Loons have their primary goalkeeper plans centered on John Alvbage, who is expected to arrive in camp later this week.

He is on loan from IFK Goteborg with Minnesota United FC through July 15 with an 18-month extension option after that, according to statements from IFK Goteborg Sporting Director Mats Gren. Draftee Alec Ferrell, who is injured, would bring United's goalkeeper tally up to three.