ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City Soccer Club on Tuesday unveiled a brand new team logo, featuring the sun, a lion and the color purple.
The lion remains as the focal point of the logo, indicating strength and pride, the team said.
"The king of the jungle reflects Orlando City's successful tenure in USL PRO and reluctance to shy away from an opponent," the team said. "The logo is also symbolic of a new beginning for Orlando City. The 21 sun flares bordering the lion signifies the club being named MLS' 21st franchise."
The team said the color purple distinguishes Orlando City from any other soccer club in North American, and the sun also represents the Sunshine State.
Ahead of the announcement, the team covered the current logo on its website and Twitter page with the color purple.
Orlando City will play the 2015 season -- its first as a member of Major League Soccer - in the Citrus Bowl, which is currently being renovated.
The team said beginning in 2016, a new downtown stadium will become the permanent home of Orlando City, with its location one block west of the Amway Center, the home of the Orlando Magic.
Funding for the $80 million stadium has already been secured from the team, city of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County and Osceola County.