Orlando City have been named as Major League Soccer's 21st team, beating David Beckham's proposed Miami club in becoming the first from Florida.
Orlando are already established and have enjoyed success of late, winning the third-tier USL Pro Championship for a second time in three years in September.
They will enter the MLS in 2015 along with Manchester City's American sister club New York City FC.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said: "We are proud and excited to welcome Orlando to Major League Soccer.
"From the success of the Orlando City Soccer Club, to the incredible fan support and passion in the community, this is a new market that really excites us."
Former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Beckham had a clause in his contract with MLS to buy a team for a cheaper price and has mooted Miami as his preferred destination.
Basketball superstar LeBron James of the NBA champions Miami Heat recently expressed an interest in joining forces with Beckham to help set up the new team.
Pascal Lemesre
