Houston Dynamo FC Strengthens Defense with Pablo Ortiz Loan Signing
Pablo Ortiz Joins Houston Dynamo FC on Loan from FC DAC 1904
HOUSTON (March 27, 2025) – Both clubs announced today that Houston Dynamo FC has signed defender Pablo Ortiz on loan from FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda in Slovakia through the 2025 season, with an option to buy. The Colombian player will join the Dynamo pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
Ortiz has made a total of 42 appearances across several top-level European clubs, including FC Midtjylland in Denmark (2022-2024), C.D. Mafra in Portugal (2022-2023), FK Pardubice in the Czech Republic (2023-2024), and most recently, FC DAC 1904 in Slovakia (2024-2025).
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.
The 24-year-old joins the Dynamo after spending three seasons overseas. He began his European career on loan with FC Midtjylland in 2022, making his debut for the Danish side in October 2022 during a 6-0 victory in the Danish Cup against Frederiksberg Alliance 2000. He later made an appearance in the UEFA Conference League after transferring permanently to Midtjylland later that year. Notably, Ortiz and current Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko overlapped at the Danish club during the 2022-2023 season. Sviatchenko, who won five titles with Midtjylland and is the second-most capped player in the team’s history, joined Houston in Major League Soccer in March 2023.
Ortiz spent the 2023-2024 season on loan with FK Pardubice in the Czech First League, where he featured in 22 matches and helped the team fight off relegation by securing three crucial wins in the Czech First League Relegation Round.
The Colombian defender now joins Houston from FC DAC 1904, where he made 15 appearances in all competitions in the Slovak First Football League and the Slovnaft Cup. He played a key role in leading the team to seven clean sheets in 12 league matches, helping the Slovakian club secure a spot in the league’s playoff round.
Ortiz began his professional career in his native Colombia with one of South America’s biggest clubs, América de Cali. He made his senior debut against Deportes in September 2020 at the age of 19 and went on to make 44 appearances across all competitions with the club, gaining valuable experience in the Categoría Primera A, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana. Additionally, Ortiz was part of the squad that clinched the Categoría Primera A title in 2020, marking the club’s 15th league championship.
