Braian Ojeda Profile, Stats and Career
Paraguay's MLS-based central midfielder at Orlando City — 123 Real Salt Lake appearances and a reliable competitive presence now heading to his first FIFA World Cup.
By
Muhammad Ahmed
Published June 2026Braian Ojeda is a 25-year-old Paraguayan central midfielder playing for Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer. Having come through Olimpia's academy and built his senior career at Nottingham Forest and Real Salt Lake before joining Orlando City in January 2026, he has earned a place in Paraguay's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad as one of four MLS-based players in La Albirroja's selection. This profile covers his age, career path, MLS stats, and international record.
Born in Itauguá, Paraguay, Ojeda developed through Olimpia's youth system and made his senior debut in 2018. After stints at Defensa y Justicia on loan and Nottingham Forest in the Championship, Real Salt Lake signed him permanently in August 2023. He made 123 appearances across all competitions for RSL, contributing 7 goals and 5 assists, before Orlando City acquired him in January 2026. His annual salary at Orlando City is $725,000.
Quick Answer
Braian Óscar Ojeda Rodríguez is a Paraguayan professional central midfielder born on 27 June 2000 in Itauguá, Paraguay. He plays for Orlando City SC in MLS and has earned 20+ caps for Paraguay since his debut in September 2021. Ojeda joined Orlando City from Real Salt Lake on a contract through June 2029. His annual MLS salary is reported at $725,000.
Early Life and Background
Braian Ojeda was born on 27 June 2000 in Itauguá, a city approximately 30 kilometres from Asunción in Paraguay's Central Department. He joined Olimpia's youth academy and came through one of Paraguay's most prestigious clubs, making his senior debut in 2018 at age 17.
His early career at Olimpia included a loan to Defensa y Justicia in Argentina's Primera División, where his performances earned him the attention of English Championship club Nottingham Forest. Forest signed him in 2021, giving him his first European professional experience before the club's promotion to the Premier League.
From Nottingham to MLS via Real Salt Lake
At Nottingham Forest (2021–23), Ojeda was primarily a squad player during the Championship promotion season and the early Premier League return. Real Salt Lake's loan for the 2022–23 MLS season was converted to a permanent deal in August 2023, and he became a fixture in RSL's midfield across four seasons — making 123 appearances across all competitions with 7 goals and 5 assists.
Orlando City SC acquired him in January 2026 for $1.3 million in general allocation money, with additional performance-related payments possible. He has started all 15 of Orlando City's matches since joining and established himself as a reliable central midfield presence in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Braian Ojeda Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Braian Óscar Ojeda Rodríguez |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 27 June 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Place of birth | Itauguá, Paraguay |
| Nationality | Paraguay |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 1.73 m |
| Weight | ~150 lbs / 68 kg |
| Position | Central Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | Orlando City SC |
| Jersey number | 8 |
Ojeda's work rate, competitiveness, and consistency as a central midfielder have made him a valuable squad option for both RSL and now Orlando City. His ability to play as both a central and defensive midfielder gives coaches tactical flexibility, while his experience across Paraguay, Argentina, England, and MLS provides a broad competitive background.
Transfer News and Market Value
Braian Ojeda joined Orlando City in January 2026 on a four-year contract through June 2029, with a club option for an additional year. RSL received $1.3 million in general allocation money plus up to $475,000 in performance-based payments and a sell-on percentage.
His annual salary at Orlando City is $725,000 as reported publicly — placing him as a reliable established MLS player rather than a Designated Player. His market value is estimated at approximately €2–3 million.
Real Salt Lake will retain a sell-on percentage if he moves internationally, reflecting their interest in capitalising on his development. That sell-on clause could be activated if a European club makes an approach following the World Cup.
No transfer interest has been publicly reported beyond Orlando City's commitment to him. His contract through 2029 provides financial security across his mid-to-late 20s.
Salary and Net Worth
Braian Ojeda's annual salary at Orlando City is $725,000 as publicly reported. This equates to approximately $60,000 per month — higher than Paraguayan domestic wages but at the lower end of MLS professional salaries for established players.
At Real Salt Lake (2022–26), his salary grew across four seasons as his appearances and profile expanded. Starting salaries at RSL would have been lower before increasing through contract renegotiations.
His Nottingham Forest contract (2021–23) would have been at Championship or minimum Premier League rates — estimated at £10,000–20,000 per week.
Total career earnings are estimated at approximately $3–5 million USD across Paraguay, Argentina, England, and MLS.
Paraguay World Cup distribution provides a supplement to his Orlando City salary during the tournament. As one of four MLS players in the squad, the FIFA payments are a meaningful addition to club income.
Commercial endorsements are limited to kit partnerships. His World Cup squad selection will increase his visibility within MLS and potentially beyond.
Estimated net worth is approximately $1.5–2.5 million USD, reflecting his career income and professional financial management.
Braian Ojeda Club Career
Ojeda made his senior debut at Olimpia in 2018 and spent time in the Argentine Primera División on loan at Defensa y Justicia before Nottingham Forest signed him in 2021. His MLS career at Real Salt Lake (2022–26) was defined by consistency — 123 appearances, 7 goals, 5 assists — and the kind of reliable contribution that earns trust from coaches over extended periods.
His transition to Orlando City in January 2026 placed him in a new environment under head coach Oscar Pareja, and he has started all 15 matches for the club since joining. His consistency in getting on the pitch reflects his fitness and his quality as a professional.
On the international stage, he returned to the Paraguay squad in September 2025 after a period away and has been a regular since, participating in the final stages of World Cup qualifying and the preparation camps for the 2026 tournament.
His World Cup squad inclusion confirms his standing as one of Paraguay's reliable midfield options — a player whose work rate and competitive consistency make him a trusted presence in both club and international environments.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2021 | Olimpia + Defensa y Justicia (loan) | 70+ | 3 |
| 2021–2023 | Nottingham Forest | 30+ | 1 |
| 2022–2026 | Real Salt Lake (loan then permanent) | 123 | 7 |
| 2026–present | Orlando City | 15+ | 0 |
Real Salt Lake career (2022–2026)
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | 7 | 5 | 4 seasons; one of the most consistent RSL midfielders |
International Career
Braian Ojeda made his senior Paraguay debut in September 2021 and has earned 20+ caps since, with a consistent presence in the national team squad across multiple qualifying windows. He returned to the squad setup in September 2025 and was included in the final qualifying squad and the 2026 World Cup group.
His international role is as a reliable central midfield option — a player who provides energy, competitive duels, and positional discipline alongside more technically prominent midfielders. His experience in three different professional football environments (South American, European, MLS) gives him adaptability that is useful at international level.
The 2026 World Cup is Ojeda's first FIFA World Cup. His role within Paraguay's squad will likely be as a midfield option rather than a guaranteed starter, though his consistency at club level gives him a strong platform to compete for minutes in group-stage matches.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 20+ | 0 | WC Qualifying 2026; 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| MLS regular season participation | — | Real Salt Lake (2022–26), Orlando City (2026) |
| EFL Championship promotion | — | Nottingham Forest 2021–22 (squad) |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Braian Ojeda is a central midfielder whose defining qualities are energy, work rate, and competitive consistency. He is not the most technically gifted of Paraguay's midfield options — Almirón, Diego Gómez, and Galarza are more creative — but his ability to press, recover, and occupy space disciplinedly makes him a useful squad player in any tactical structure.
His MLS career of over 130 appearances across two clubs reflects the kind of availability and reliability that coaches value in professional football. He is the kind of midfielder who makes a team harder to play against rather than more exciting to watch — and in World Cup football, that profile has real value.
Four environments, one World Cup
Having competed professionally in Paraguay, Argentina, England, and MLS, Ojeda brings a broader professional background than most of Paraguay's midfielders. Each environment presented different physical and tactical demands, and his ability to navigate all of them has produced the versatile, competitive midfielder who earned his World Cup place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Braian Ojeda's career from Itauguá through Olimpia, Argentina, England, and MLS to Paraguay's 2026 World Cup squad traces a journey built on consistency and reliability across multiple professional environments. He is not the most headline-generating player in Paraguay's squad, but his presence in the midfield provides the kind of competitive work ethic that all squads require.
The 2026 World Cup is the highest stage of his career. Whether he starts or provides cover from the bench, his experience in three different professional systems and his consistent MLS standard make him a useful option for coach Alfaro across the three Group D matches.
