By MIKE GRAMAJO

While much credit can be attributed to owners Flavio Augusto da Silva and Phil Rawlins for luring Brazilian star Ricardo Kaka to Orlando City SC as the club’s first Designated Player, the credit could soon be given to the man who will eventually coach the midfielder.

That’s Adrian Heath.

Within the last 48 hours, reports of Kaka signing with Orlando City have coincided with World Cup fever, and Heath for the first time answered questions from reporters about the soon-to-be-completed signing.

“We’re in advanced talks to sign Kaka. We’re all optimistic and really hopeful and probably see a little bit of what it’s like next year,” said Heath. “We’re talking about one of the world’s global names, one the best players in the last 20-30 years. We hope we get it done, we hope this time next year he’s running out in a purple shirt.”

According to multiple reports that have surfaced in the last couple days, the former AC Milan ace is expected to go out on loan to Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo FC for the remainder of 2014 to remain fit. Kaka would eventually join the Lions in January 2015 before the start of their MLS preseason camp.

Sao Paulo, which is Kaka’s boyhood club, played Orlando City on Friday in a scoreless international friendly.

— —

What do you think of the possibility of Kaka being coached by Heath? Can he adapt to Orlando’s style of play? Can he succeed in Orlando?

Share your thoughts below.