Houston Dynamo sign Ondrej Lingr and Pablo Ortiz

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

The Houston Dynamo announced two signings on Thursday, first bringing in defender Pablo Ortiz on loan and then adding Czech midfielder Andrej Lingr as the club’s new Designated Player.

Lingr is signed on a full transfer through June 2028 with club options through 2029. “Ondřej is a goal scoring midfielder with experience playing at the highest levels of European club and international football,” said President of Soccer Pat Onstad. “He will make us a more dangerous attacking team with his verticality and penalty box presence, and he matches the defensive intensity that we look for in all Dynamo players. We are happy to welcome Ondřej, his wife Lucie and their son to Houston, and we look forward to his contributions on and off the field.”

Ortiz, a 24-year-old from Colombia, joins the Dynamo from FC DAC 1904 in Slovakia. The Dynamo signed him on loan, with an option to buy. “Pablo is a talented left-footed center back with impressive athleticism who will compete for minutes in our backline,” said President of Soccer Pat Onstad. “He is a high potential player who will benefit from our developmental environment in Houston. We are excited to welcome Pablo to Houston where he can contribute to our 20th MLS season.”

Houston has been on the hunt for a DP number 10 all offseason and they have found their man in Lingr. The 26-year-old comes to Houston from Slavia Prague in his native Czechia. He spent time last season with Feyenoord in the Netherlands. He has made 39 appearances for the Czechia National Team, scoring three goals and adding one assist.

Ortiz will likely compete for a starting center back spot, sooner rather than later. His experience playing with Erik Sviatchenko in Denmark will help his learning curve. With Ethan Bartlow now injured, look for Ortiz to get into the side as soon as his visa and all of the paperwork is done.