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Orlando City's Cyle Larin dismisses links to Benfica transfer

Orlando City striker Cyle Larin says Portuguese giants Benfica have not made any contact over a potential transfer.

Reports in Portugal said both Benfica and Sporting were bidding to sign the Canada international, but Larin dismissed the speculation after training on Thursday.

"I just saw it online myself yesterday," he told MLSSoccer.com. "Of course it's always nice to be associated with clubs like that, because Benfica are a top team.

"I do leave things like this up to my agent, but, as far as I know, there has been no contact at all."

The league's website also said an Orlando City club source denied the links for the 21-year-old.

"There has certainly been no contact from Benfica about this, and the club has absolutely no interest in selling at this time," the source said.

Larin, who trained as a teenager with top-flight clubs in Germany and Belgium, has scored 26 goals in 45 appearances for Orlando City, including nine in 18 starts this year.

Also on Thursday, Orlando announced the arrival of Uruguayan center-back Jose Aja on loan from Nacional.

The MLS club has an option to buy the 23-year-old after this season.

"We are excited to have Jose join the team," Lions assistant general manager Niki Budalic said. "He is a young, talented defender that we have been looking at for a while because we knew he could come in and make an impact on our team."