Boden made 45 MLS appearances for Orlando over the past two seasons, having been a mainstay for the club during its four seasons in the USL. Arriving at the other end of I-4 this week, Boden said he was enjoying getting to know his new teammates, and believed the group had the potential to find success this season.

“It’s brilliant,” he said. “It’s a great group of guys, and a talented group of guys, and I think if we apply ourselves well and work hard I think we can do really well, but that’s down to us and having the right attitude in each game that we come across.

Boden’s time with Orlando meant that Al Lang Stadium wasn’t an unfamiliar venue, with the Lions having faced the Rowdies in regular exhibitions during his time with City. His new Head Coach, Stuart Campbell, was among the Rowdies contingent on the field in some of those encounters, as were the likes of forward Georgi Hristov and midfielder Keith Savage, but those contest have been consigned to the past as Boden kicks off the new season.

“It’s nice to be on the right side of these guys,” Boden said with a smile. “Hopefully they won’t give me too much abuse!”