Orlando City SC are believed to be close to signing Seb Hines from English club Middlesbrough.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the MLS expansion club 'is finalizing a loan deal' for the 26-year old defender who was born in the UK to an English mother and American father.
According to the report, Hines is set to sign a short-term deal with the Lions with the view to a permanent contract once his current stay with Boro expires at the end of June.
Hines made his debut for the Teessiders in 2006 and has since appeared close to 90 times for the Championship outfit while taking loan spells with Derby County, Oldham Athletic and Coventry City.
Orlando are putting the missing pieces together for their inaugural MLS squad and it is believed that the proposed signing of Hines presents that opportunity although Republic of Ireland Sean St Ledger is still training with Adrian Heath's side and is likely to be offered a contract prior to the 2015 campaign.
