Welcome to the 2025 edition of the Hudson River Blue Transfer Tracker, your one-stop-shop for all New York City FC transfer news and rumors. This page will be updated, like, every few seconds, so check back often.
• Jack Harrison interested in MLS return?
March 6, 2025
Status: Rumor
To be filed under "vague NYCFC alumnus transfer rumors": Joe Donnohue of the Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Jack Harrison might be thinking about making a move back to Major League Soccer as soon as this summer.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post report, Harrison "could entertain an MLS return, and while no official approaches or negotiations have taken place as yet, exploratory conversations with club representatives in the United States are understood to have taken place."
Harrison, now 28, is currently on loan with Everton FC in the English Premier League but has made 27 appearances across all competitions this season without recording a goal or an assist. Leeds United FC in the English Championship have Harrison under contract through 2028, but he's reportedly "unlikely" to factor into Leeds manager Daniel Farke's future plans, nor is he likely to have his Everton loan made permanent, according to this report anyway. Harrison was with Leeds in the Premier League from 2020 through their May 2023 relegation to the Championship, but has spent the last two seasons with Everton on loan.
No specific MLS teams are linked with Harrison in this report, which sounds about as premature as reports get, but it's also impossible to avoid thinking about Harrison returning to NYCFC if he does in fact want to make a move back to MLS. The winger broke through professionally with the team during the 2016 and 2017 MLS seasons and scored 14 goals across 61 games played in all competitions – why not come back in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that 2016 NYCFC squad?
Wtf pic.twitter.com/C6sgFfwpck
— Luke (@_luke1878_) August 31, 2024
• Alonso Martínez signs contract extension
February 28, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
One goal scored already in 2025 and coming off 18 in 35 appearances in 2024, Alonso Martínez put pen to paper on a new contract through 2027 with the option to extend it through 2029. You can read more about Martínez's new deal here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Santi Rodríguez sold to Botafogo
February 22, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
How's that for timing? Minutes before the season-opening match of 2025 against Inter Miami CF, New York City FC confirmed the long-expected sale of Santiago Rodríguez to Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas. You can read much more about the Rodríguez sale and what it means for all of Santi, NYCFC, and CFG, here.
Andrew Leigh
• New York City sign Nico Cavallo
February 21, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
New York City add some much-needed depth at left-back after signing MLS SuperDraft pick Nico Cavallo. The 23-year-old UCLA alum impressed in the preseason friendlies at the appearances at the 2025 Coachella Invitational, when he linked up well with the rest of the First Team. Cavallo is signed through 2025 with options through 2028.
Read more about the transaction here.
• New York City sign Max Murray
February 21, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
Max Murray is now a full-fledged member of the New York City just one day before the start of the 2025 season. The 22-year-old center-back, who won the national collegiate title last fall with the University of Vermont, was selected by NYCFC with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Murray is signed through 2025 with options through 2027.
The 6' 3" defender will bring some much-needed depth to the New York City back line. You can read the full story here.
• New York City sign Nicholas Cavallo?
February 19, 2025
Status: Reputable Rumor
According to The Outfield, Sporting Director David Lee announced at a town hall meeting that the club signed left-back Nicholas Cavallo. The UCLA alum brings some much-needed depth to the position: Regular starter Kevin O'Toole wasn't in the lineup for the team's final three games at the Coachella Invitational, and wunderkind Christian McFarlane signed with Manchester City last month.
At a town hall last night, David Lee told supporters that New York City FC has signed left back Nico Cavallo. The Third Round SuperDraft pick out of UCLA impressed this preseason and may see action sooner than later with Kevin O'Toole missing the last two games at Coachella with injuries.
— The Outfield (@theoutfield.nyc) 2025-02-19T12:16:46.550Z
That leaves the 23-year-old Cavallo, who was selected in the Third Round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, when he was the 88th overall pick. Cavallo was in preseason training with the club, and he looked good when playing on the left.
Cavallo was New York City's fourth pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, behind center-back Max Murray of the University of Vermont, midfielder Collin McCamy of Northwestern University, and forward Arnau Farnos of Oregon State University. But Cavallo seems to be the first draft pick this year to be signed by the club.
New York City have yet to make an official announcement regarding Cavallo.
• Santi-to-Botafogo agreement reached: Report
February 14, 2025
Status: Rumor
Santiago Rodríguez's transfer to Botafogo in Brazil might be at the finish line.
A report today from Montevideo, Uruguay-based journalist Rodri Vazquez of Sport 890 (who Santi Rodríguez follows on Twitter and Instagram, if that's of any consequence) says New York City FC's Designated Player agreed on contract terms with Botafogo and the team in Brazil's Série A will pay a transfer fee worth close to $17 million to acquire 100% of Santi's rights. The 25-year-old Uruguayan will, according to this report, travel to Rio de Janeiro on Monday or Tuesday to finalize his new contract which will tie him to Botafogo through at least 2028.
The $17 million transfer fee coming to NYCFC is eye-popping, but it's unclear based on this report if that amount includes performance-based incentives, which seems likely based on other earlier reports about a potential Santi transfer. Also unclear: How much of a cut of the transfer fee goes to other clubs with past ties to Rodríguez, like NYCFC's City Football Group relative Montevideo City Torque or Santi's first team, Club Nacional de Football.
Santi's name was mentioned all winter in connection with a possible move to Brazil, with Cruzeiro and Corinthians also rumored as interested in signing Rodríguez. The possible move to Botafogo first was mentioned on February 6 by Canal do TF on YouTube, then confirmed by Brazilian news outlet UOL. February 9 brought a report from César Luis Merlo that Rodríguez and Botafogo were in advanced negotiations, and despite some reported hang-ups during contract negotiations, Santi now seems all set to depart New York City.
• Contract complications for Santi-to-Botafogo?
February 11, 2025
Status: Rumor
Rio de Janeiro newspaper O Dia is out with a report claiming Santiago Rodríguez's transfer to Botafogo in the Brazilian Série A might fall apart due to "unrealistic" demands from the NYCFC player's representatives.
The story also cites another journalist's report that Botafogo's American owner, John Textor, is trying to meet with Rodríguez himself to seal an agreement. Botafogo is said by O Dia to be ready to pay over $11 million guaranteed to NYCFC to acquire the 25-year-old Uruguayan midfielder, with over $4 million more possibly unlocked through performance incentives.
This report also mentions Estudiantes in Argentina having an interest in acquiring Santi, the first time they've been mentioned as a suitor this winter. That would bring the total number of clubs rumored to have interest in Rodríguez up to four, with Botafogo and Estudiantes reportedly joined by Cruzeiro and Corinthians also of Brazil's Série A.
• NYCFC interested in midfielder Nampalys Mendy?
February 9, 2025
Status: Rumor
RC Lens midfielder Nampalys Mendy is a New York City FC transfer target, according to a report from French outlet RMC Sport.
Mendy is a 32-year-old Senegal international who usually functions as a defensive midfielder and has played seven seasons in France's Ligue 1 and six seasons in the English Premier League. He spent his time in England exclusively with Leicester City FC, but Mendy moved back to France to join RC Lens when the Foxes were relegated to the English Championship at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Now with Lens, Mendy is stuck on the bench. He's only made five appearances this season across all competitions, totaling just 109 minutes of game time. RMC Sport claims that NYCFC is joined by another unnamed MLS team in having interest in Mendy, and that there are also two unnamed clubs from the United Arab Emirates pursuing the diminutive (he's 5'6") midfielder. NYCFC could use some midfield reinforcement with James Sands out on loan with FC St. Pauli, and now a veteran of two top European leagues is said to be on their radar.
• Santi to Botafogo rumors heat up
February 9, 2025
Status: Reputable Rumor
The rumor linking Santiago Rodriguez to Botafago is gaining traction: Now South American transfer guru César Luis Merlo reports that the negotiations between the two clubs have advanced and "there is already an agreement in principle with the player for a 4-year contract."
Read more here.
• Botafogo interested in Santi Rodríguez?
February 6, 2025
Status: Rumors
Santiago Rodríguez reportedly has another Brazilian club interested in his services, with Botafogo said to have submitted a transfer offer for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder.
The report came first from Canal do TF and was confirmed by Brazilian news outlet UOL. The UOL report by journalist Felipe Silva also names two other teams in the Brazilian Serié A, Corinthians (current home of loaned-out Talles Magno) and Cruzeiro, as having tried to sign NYCFC's Uruguayan Designated Player in recent weeks, only to back off after finding David Lee's asking price too high.
Included in the long scroll of this Transfer Tracker you'll find that earlier report of Cruzeiro's interest in Rodríguez from December 18, so this is a familiar rumor to swirl around this winter. Botafogo reportedly comes in with an offer while they're trying to replace onetime MLS star Thiago Almada, who moved to Olympique Lyonnais in France's Ligue 1 this winter, among numerous other departed players.
In March 2023, New York City FC permanently acquired Santi from fellow City Football Group club Montevideo City Torque for an undisclosed sum then signed him to a Designated Player contract. He earned $1.2 million in base salary in 2024, with that DP contract still set to run through December 2027 – so a high asking price is likely to be attached to a player who had 16 goals and six assists across all competitions for New York City last season.
• Jovan Mijatović loaned to Belgium's Oud-Heverlee Leuven
January 31, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
It's official: Jovan Mijatović departed New York City on a short-term loan to Oud-Heverlee Leuven of Belgium, a Juplier Pro League team that currently sit 12th in the table. Mijatović will be with the club through June 30, 2025.
The terms of the loan weren't disclosed.
This is just the latest chapter in the strange saga of Mijatović, who joined New York City just 11 months ago for a reported club-record $8.6 million fee. The striker remained on the margins of the squad despite Mounsef Bakrar's trouble scoring. Alonso Martínez eventually made the No 9 position his, forcing Mijatović even further down the depth chart.
Will Mijatović get playing time for OH Leuven? They could use some help: They currently have 26 points after 23 games, and sit just three points above the relegation zone. OH Leuven's 19 goals scored are third-lowest in the 16-team league. You can read more about Jovan's move here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Taylor Calheira moves to FC Tulsa
January 30, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
NYCFC II forward Taylor Calheira will join USL Championship side FC Tulsa. The 22-year-old led the team with 14 goals in 2024, which put him third in MLS NEXT Pro. He scored three goals in the 2024 US Open Cup, which put him in ten-way tie for fourth place.
Another player with four goals in the 2024 US Open Cup: MD Myers, NYCFC II's leading scorer in 2023. Meyers left the club at the start of the 2023 season to join Charleston Battery of USL Championship,
Calheira joined NYCFC II club after being selected in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft as the 66th overall pick.
• Christian McFarlane joins Manchester City
January 27, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
In a move that surprised exactly nobody, Christian McFarlane made the move to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old celebrated his birthday on Saturday, and it was understood that the defender would pack up the moment he came of age.
We hardly got to know the player, who made just 13 appearances for the First Team. Nonetheless, McFarlane is a hot property, and was made the "MLS 22 Under 22" list and the Guardian's "Next Generation 2024."
He's New York City's fourth Homegrown to make the jump to the European top flight. You can read more about his move to Manchester City here.
Andrew Leigh
• NYCFC gets $50,000 in GAM for Besard Sabovic's Discovery Rights
January 21, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
New York City FC didn't trade any players from its roster, but with MLS being MLS, the club just picked up a tidy $50,000 in general allocation money (GAM) so another team, Austin FC, could sign a player, defensive midfielder Besard Sabovic.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Sabovic was rumored to be a transfer target of NYCFC in early November, holding the honor of being the very first player mentioned in this frequently-updated Transfer Tracker. The 26-year-old midfielder most recently of Djurgårdens IF in Sweden didn't turn out to be destined for New York City FC, but New York City FC apparently had him on their Discovery List.
For those who forgot, MLS roster rules, which if you're a sicko you can read in full here, say that each team can have up to five players who are not subject to other "mechanisms" used to bring players to MLS (the SuperDraft, Homegrown contracts, or similar) on their Discovery Lists.
NYCFC had Sabovic on their Discovery List but Austin FC signed him to a three-year contract, and that means Austin's new sporting director, longtime City Football Group employee Rodolfo Borrell, had to fork over $50,000 in GAM to his old friends in New York City. When the league revealed each team's available GAM amounts earlier this winter, NYCFC had $3,285,135, so add another $50,000 to the total thanks to an only-in-MLS rules quirk.
• Mounsef Bakrar to Croatia?
January 17, 2025
Status: Sketchy Rumor
Italia transfer whisperer Lorenzo Lepore posted on X that the New York City striker is drawing interest from Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split, and HNK Rijeka of the Croatian first division Hrvatska Hogometna Liga (HNL). Bakrar is currently in preseason training with the team in Santa Barbara.
Plus: The Italian-language Croatian publication La Voce Del Popoplo reports a rumor that Rijeka made a €2 million offer for Bakrar earlier this month, but New York City refused.
Bakrar joined NYCFC in 2023 from Croatian club NK Istra 1961, where he had eight goals and two assists in 33 games in all competitions.
• Goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh signs with NYCFC
January 14, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
One day brings us a rumor of a New York City FC goalkeeper leaving the team, the next day brings us New York City FC officially signing a new goalkeeper.
MLS and USL veteran Greg Ranjitsingh, a 31-year-old goalkeeper originally from Canada, has signed with NYCFC on a contract through 2026 with an option to extend through 2027.
Read more about the well-traveled Ranjitsingh in our full write-up of the signing, which can be found here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Matt Freese attracting European interest?
January 13, 2025
Status: Rumor
Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport's sources tell him that Matt Freese is a transfer target for some unnamed clubs in Germany and the Netherlands.
🇺🇸🔵 Sources: NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese getting strong interest from German and Dutch clubs. He has an EU passport (German).
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 13, 2025
No offers yet, but one to watch.
Freese currently with U.S. national team for January camp, first senior call-up after a career year. pic.twitter.com/YTX6cFUjEK
Freese was among the best goalkeepers in MLS in 2024 and was named New York City FC's season MVP for his efforts. NYCFC has Freese under contract through the 2026 season on a deal that paid him just $270,000 in guaranteed compensation in 2024 – when writing about the fall update to MLS's player salary data, our Oliver Strand referred to Freese as a steal.
A move to Europe gets easier with a European passport, and Freese holds a German one since, as noted in a profile of Freese by Charles Boehm of the MLS website from June, Freese's grandparents Ernst and Elisabeth emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in the 1950s. For NYCFC, selling Freese – who they acquired from Philadelphia Union for $350,000 in allocation money which could rise to $750,000 with performance incentives – would likely yield a transfer profit, but at the cost of making the 2025 team significantly worse.
• Maxi Moralez re-signs for 2025
January 13, 2025
Status: Official, Confirmed
It's a new signing but nothing close to a new face, as Maxi Moralez is officially back with New York City FC for the 2025 season. Moralez was out of contract and a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, but NYCFC said in their end-of-year roster moves that the club was negotiating with Maxi over a return.
That return is now official, as the soon-to-be-38-year-old puts pen to paper on a one-year contract. Read more here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Thiago Andrade lands with Cerezo Osaka
January 13, 2025
Status: Official
This now qualifies as New York City FC alumni news, but the final shoe has dropped in the uniquely MLS transfer saga of Thiago Andrade. On January 9, Tom Bogert reported that Toronto FC – who acquired Thiago Andrade on December 11 via MLS Expansion Draft wheeling-and-dealing with San Diego FC – was selling the Brazilian winger to "an Asian club" for around $500,000.
That club was confirmed today to be Cerezo Osaka of Japan's J1 League, who announced signing Thiago Andrade in a permanent transfer from Toronto FC – a team he only ever joined in the realm of MLS paperwork.
／#チアゴアンドラーデ 選手
— セレッソ大阪オフィシャル (@crz_official) January 13, 2025
トロントFCより完全移籍加入🌸
＼
🗣「みなさんの仲間の一員としてチームに加入出来ることが本当にうれしいですし、私の力を信じて下さったセレッソ関係者の皆様に心から感謝しています」
ようこそ #セレッソ大阪 へ👏👏👏共に戦いましょう✨https://t.co/2n0dSfteeP pic.twitter.com/WmBOk7udyL
Thiago Andrade last played for NYCFC in April 2023, and since had been out on loan spells with Shenzhen Peng City FC in the Chinese Super League and Club Athletico Paranaense in Brazil's Serie A. NYCFC left him unprotected for the 2025 MLS Expansion Draft and he was selected by San Diego, then flipped to Toronto – which has now flipped him again to Japan's Cerezo Osaka.
NYCFC received $50,000 in general allocation money (GAM) for having Thiago Andrade selected in the Expansion Draft, a pittance compared to the reported $1.8 million fee New York City FC paid to acquire Thiago in 2021.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Jovan Mijatović loan rumors heating up
January 13, 2025
Status: Rumor
And it's the 19-year-old striker who's adding fuel to the fire. Mijatović told Serbian publication Sportal, "I wouldn't give away any secrets, but I'm waiting for a lot in Europe right now." Benfica, PSV, and Anderlecht are reportedly interested.
Read more here.
Oliver Strand
• Jovan Mijatović to European club on loan?
January 11, 2025
Status: Rumor
Jovan Mijatović is still dealing with the fallout of a crash with a pedestrian in Belgrade and he also might be dealing with a loan move away from New York City FC.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sport Germany reports that a Mijatović loan move to Europe during this January's transfer window "has now become a serious option." Plattenberg doesn't specify any team interested in Mijatović, but does mention that the Bundesliga is a potential destination, and that Bayer Leverkusen and Italian side Juventus FC previously held interest in signing the 19-year-old Serbian striker who joined NYCFC from Red Star Belgrade in February 2024.
Last season, Mijatović made 15 appearances (434 minutes, or 28.9 minutes per appearance) across all competitions for New York City FC and scored once, in a Leagues Cup group loss away to FC Cincinnati. He barely played at the end of the 2024 season – Mijatović appeared in just three of the team's 13 matches played after Leagues Cup, and saw only 33 total minutes across those three appearances.
Midfielder James Sands has already left for the Bundesliga this January, and NYCFC now might be poised to lose a striker to Germany, too.
🚨🔵 Jovan #Mijatovic is considered as one of the top striker talents of his generation.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 11, 2025
The 19-y/o forward is currently under contract with New York City in the MLS. The City Football Group paid €10m for him. #NYCFC
A loan move to Europe has now become a serious option in… pic.twitter.com/avIcMp9TXX
• Prince Amponsah signed to Homegrown contract
January 10, 2025
Status: Confirmed
Two Homegrowns in one day? Somebody pinch us!
NYCFC just announced the signing of Prince Amponsah, a 21-year-old central defender from Wake Forest College, to a Homegrown contract through 2025 with options through 2028.
A product of the NYCFC Academy and Manhattan Kickers, Amponsah attended Manhattan Hunter Science High School on the Upper West Side. Amponsah was the 2024 ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player, and one of the biggest college prospects this year. Could he see his MLS debut in 2025?
Read more here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Jacob Arroyave signed to Homegrown contract
January 10, 2025
Status: Confirmed
New York City finally signed a player! So what if he was already signed to NYCFC II? The club put a ring on it by inking the 17-year-old midfielder to a Homegrown contract through 2027 with an option for 2028.
He made 15 appearances with NYCFC II last year before suffering an ACL injury. Read more about the player and the transaction here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Cammy Devlin to New York City?
January 10, 2025
Status: Rumor
NYCFC have yet to bring in a new player this transfer window, but that could change if they sign Cammy Devlin, a defensive midfielder who plays for Heart of Midlothian FC in the Scottish Premiership.
The Edinburgh Evening News reports that New York City are looking to trigger the £280,000 release clause for the 26-year-old Australian international. Other Scottish outlets have picked up the story. Presumably, the Hearts midfielder would be brought in to fill the James Sands-sized hole in the lineup.
Transfermarkt values Devlin at $1 million.
• Christian McFarlane set to join Manchester City
January 9, 2025
Status: Reputable Rumor
In what should come as a surprise to nobody, NYCFC left-back Christian McFarlane is expected to join Manchester City in the January transfer window, with Fabrizio the Great posting this morning that "all documents are signed."
We first covered the deal back in July 2024, though The Athletic reported a McFarlane move to Manchester was close in March 2024. Since then, McFarlane made his First Team debut, made the 2024 MLS 22 Under 22 list, and was named to the Guardian's "Next Generation 2024."
McFarlane turns 18 on January 25.
🔵🔐 All documents are signed for 2007 born talented LB Christian McFarlane to join Manchester City.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 9, 2025
It will be formally announced during the January window. https://t.co/qaMsmEN00S
• Pascal Jansen named New York City FC head coach
January 6, 2025
Status: Confirmed, Official
And so the Pascal Jansen era at New York City FC begins: The club announced the arrival of the new Head Coach earlier today after rumors of his arrival first surfaced on New Year's Eve.
You can read more about NYCFC's new gaffer here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• James Sands loaned to FC St. Pauli
January 1, 2025
Status: Confirmed, Official
There goes James Sands again, leaving New York City FC to test himself in Europe for a second time. Sands will embark on another loan in 2025, with NYCFC announcing on the morning of New Year's Day 2025 that Sands has been loaned to FC St. Pauli of the German Bundesliga.
We have more details on the move in our article all about Sands's second NYCFC exit — read more here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Pascal Jansen to NYCFC all but confirmed
December 31, 2024
Status: Reputable Reports Confirmed (See Above)
Sure seems like New York City FC has found a new Head Coach. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed what we reported earlier this morning – Pascal Jansen is leaving Ferencváros in Hungary for NYCFC.
🚨🇺🇸 Pascal Jansen leaves Ferencvaros to sign in as New York City FC head coach in MLS, agreement done.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 31, 2024
Documents are being signed. 🔐 pic.twitter.com/wvfzLr0BWp
In a subsequent post, Romano followed up to say that Jansen will join NYCFC on a four-year contract and that the 51-year-old manager would be flying to the United States in the coming days to finalize everything around his new role.
You can read more on Jansen in our post all about his looming hire as the sixth NYCFC Head Coach, which is right here.
Andrew Leigh
• Pascal Jansen to become NYCFC coach?
December 31, 2024
Status: Rumor Confirmed (See Above)
A report from Nemzeti Sport in Hungary claims that Pascal Jansen, 51-year-old manager most recently of Ferencváros in Hungary, is set to become New York City FC's next Head Coach.
The club, full name Ferencvárosi Torna Club, announced this morning that Pascal Jansen abruptly left his position after his contract was "bought out by a group that owns one of the world's leading football clubs," with the statement also saying Ferencváros received "a significant sum" for the departing coach.
Ferencváros also wished Jansen well "in his overseas career," which hints at a move off the European continent for the English-born Dutch manager who also spent three years in charge of AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Jansen was only briefly in charge of Ferencváros. He was appointed to the role on June 13 and was only in charge for 30 matches across all competitions, going 18 W-6 D-6 L while at the helm of the Budapest-based club.
We've reached out to try to confirm the appointment and will have more information as it becomes available.
• NYCFC select five players in MLS SuperDraft
December 20, 2024
Status: Official
New York City FC just assembled its biggest-ever class of MLS SuperDraft picks, selecting five players across the three rounds of the league's annual college draft.
The five picks are headlined by University of Vermont defender Max Murray, a player NYCFC wanted so much that they were willing to part with $75,000 of their $3.3 million in general allocation money (GAM) to move up seven places in the First Round in a pick swap with San Diego FC.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Murray was the 17th pick in the draft and he was joined by Northwestern midfielder Collin McCamy (54th pick), University of Virginia striker AJ Smith (78th pick), forward Arnau Farnos from Oregon State University (84th pick), and fullback Nicholas Cavallo (88th pick) of UCLA.
You can read more about all five of NYCFC's SuperDraft selections here.
• Cruzeiro interested in Santi Rodríguez?
December 18, 2024
Status: Rumor
Santiago Rodríguez had a productive 2024 season and it might have earned the 24-year-old Uruguayan midfielder interest from abroad. Thiago Fernandes of Goal Brasil reports today that Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in Brazil's Série A has shown an interest in signing Santi.
INFORMAÇÃO!!!
— Thiago Fernandes (@thirfernandes) December 18, 2024
Cruzeiro demonstra interesse por uruguaio do New York City, dos Estados Unidos | @GoalBRhttps://t.co/tnVY6a9e6q
The report makes this sound like preliminary interest from the Brazilian club. According to Goal Brasil, only "initial contacts" have been made and Cruzeiro has not made an actual formal transfer offer to New York City FC. Cruzeiro just finished in Ninth Place in the most recent Série A season, while Rodríguez was NYCFC's chief midfield creator, collecting 16 goals and six assists in 40 appearances in all competitions in 2024.
• Jonathan Jiménez signs with Hartford Athletic
December 16, 2024
Status: Official
Jonathan Jiménez signed a Homegrown contract with New York City in 2022, but the 23-year-old forward failed to break into the First Team despite having 5 goals and 6 assists for NYCFC II in the MLS NEXT Pro regular season — and 4 goals and 2 assists in the 2024 US Open Cup. Now he's on his way to play in the USL Championship.
Read more here.
• Nicolás Acevedo joins Bahia on permanent transfer
December 16, 2024
Status: Official
The earlier rumors proved to be true: Nicolás Acevedo is now with CFG sister club Esporte Club Bahia. The move doesn't come as a surprise. The 25-year-old spent the last two years with Bahia, and when he wasn't included on NYCFC's list of unprotected players in the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft, speculation increased that he was no longer with the team.
The only question mark is the transfer fee: New York City paid a reported $2.5 million for Acevedo in 2020, but he joined Bahia for an "undisclosed fee" rumored to be $3 million.
Read more here.
• San Diego FC pick Thiago Andrade in 2024 MLS Expansion Draft
December 12, 2024
Status: Official
We don't get it either.
Thiago is on his way to Toronto FC after San Diego FC made him their fourth pick in the MLS Expansion Draft, then traded him in exchange for a first-round pick in the upcoming 2025 MLS SuperDraft. The winger had strong seasons for NYCFC in 2021 and 2022, but he spent most of the last two years on loan, first at Club Athletico Paranaense in Brazil and then at Shenzhen Peng City FC in China.
NYCFC unexpectedly exercised his option for 2025 earlier this month, and now this surprising selection. Anybody want to bet he never suits up for Toronto?
Read more here.
UPDATE: Toronto FC flipped Thiago, selling him "to an Asian club" for a reported $500,000 according to Tom Bogert. You can read more here.
• New York City leave 9 players exposed to Expansion Draft
December 10, 2024
Status: Official
NYCFC released the list of the nine players they will leave unprotected from the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft. It includes two strikers in Mounsef Bakrar and Jovan Mijatović, playmaker Maxi Moralez, and all three center-backs in Birk Risa, Strahinja Tanasijević, and Thiago Martins.
In addition, forward Thiago Andrade (on loan), defender Rio Hope Gund (option declined), and goalkeeper Tomás Romero are unprotected.
That's a lot of talent to leave exposed to San Diego FC, the expansion team that will start playing next year.
Read more here.
• Jim Curtin to New York City?
December 9, 2024
Status: Rumor
We were tracking the Jim Curtin to NYCFC rumors on social media with some skepticism. It felt more like a "New York City needs a head coach? Curtin is a head coach!" line of reasoning than anything substantial. Same for Curtin's links to the position at Atlanta United.
But then NYCFC radio announcer Glenn Crooks posted an excerpt from The Sick Podcast he cohosts with Roberto Abramowitz in which he said "I got a text indirectly from an assistant coach in MLS, and the text just just had a picture of Jim Curtin, thinking that NYCFC has high interest in Curtin." You can watch the full clip below.
In the rumor-room for #NewYorkCityFC's new manager, former #DOOP coach Jim Curtin's name has come up.
— Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) December 9, 2024
It came up for me recently from an #MLS insider who says he thinks Curtin is "the guy."
From last week's "NYCFC Views Live" - Watch👇#NYCFC @RobAbramowitz @sickpodnycfc pic.twitter.com/nTF9JOGAfP
A text from an assistant coach isn't exactly Fabrizio Romano "Let's Go!" territory. But it has us wondering: Could/would Curtin make the move to New York City?
He's unquestionably one of the best coaches in MLS, transforming an under-funded Philadelphia Union into a title contender. But he did it with a physical, high-pressing playing style that might not translate easily to NYCFC's possession-based philosophy. And then there's the bad blood between the two clubs as their rivalry evolved in recent years. But winning heals all wounds: Will we see Curtin's legendary collection of sneakers on the sidelines at Yankee Stadium/Citi Field/Red Bull Arena/Icahn Stadium next year?
• Luis Barraza to DC United
December 9, 2024
Status: Official
A rumor first reported in these pages two days ago was made official today: Luis Barraza joins DC United after spending his entire professional career with NYCFC.
The goalkeeper was selected by New York City in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, and spent most of his time with the club serving as a capable understudy to Sean Johnson. Barraza took over the starting role in 2023, but then lost it to new signing Matt Freese, who developed into one of the best goalkeepers in MLS.
Read more here.
• Talles Magno wants to extend Corinthians loan
December 9, 2024
Status: Direct Player Quote
The season just ended for Brazil's Serié A and that kicked up talk about a possible extension of Talles Magno's loan to Corinthians. The NYCFC attacker is on loan with Sao Paolo club through the end of June 2025 but has just been quoted in this report from Brazilian outlet ge globo saying he's held talks about extending his loan for the entirety of 2025. The 22-year-old said in part "We have been talking about renewing and extending the contract to stay for the whole year. It is well underway, now we need to sort out the paperwork..."
Talles Magno left New York City in August and made 19 appearances for Corinthians across all competitions through the end of their 2024 season. He scored a stoppage-time equalizer in his Corinthians debut and totaled three goals and three assists in 805 minutes played. Talles has a contract with NYCFC that runs through 2026 and pays him a little over $1 million in guaranteed compensation, but it sounds like his time in Brazil might be extend through 2025.
• Kevin De Bruyne to New York City?
December 5, 2024
Status: Sketchy Rumor
The British press are linking Kevin De Bruyne with a move to NYCFC after news broke that the 33-year-old won't renew his contract at Manchester City. Last month, The Athletic reported that De Bruyne is interested in playing in MLS, and while some report that he was in talks with expansion side San Diego FC, The Telegraph reports that his destination will be within City Football Group to New York City.
We're skeptical here at HRB HQ, tbh. It brings to mind the 2017 rumor that Yaya Toure was on his way to the Bronx.
• Luis Barraza to DC United?
December 7, 2024
Status: Reputable Rumor
Longtime backup goalkeeper Luis Barraza will reportedly go to DC United in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money and unspecified add-ons even though the club just exercised his 2025 contract option. Neither New York City nor DC officially announced the trade, but transfer guru Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport reports it's a done deal.
Read more here.
• New York City FC announce 2025 roster moves
December 5, 2024
Status: Official
They took their sweet time, but New York City FC finally announced the club's end-of-season roster decisions.
You can read more here.
Hudson River Blue Staff
• Amor Layouni linked with NYCFC, two other CFG clubs
December 2, 2024
Status: Rumor
A report from Sweden has connected 32-year-old winger Amor Layouni with New York City FC, and with fellow City Football Group teams Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and Melbourne City FC in Australia.
Layouni is a Tunisian international who has spent the last two seasons with BK Häcken in the Swedish Allsvenskan and has 18 goals and eight assists in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Gothenburg-based club. The report from Swedish outlet FotbollDirekt estimates that Häcken would want a transfer fee between $273,000-$455,000 (3-5 million Swedish Krona) as Layouni is under contract through December 2026. Layouni's standout attribute is his speed, as he rates as the fastest player in the Allsvenskan with maximum speed numbers that compare favorably to the fastest players in Europe's "big five" leagues.
There's rumored to be lots of interest within CFG and among other Swedish clubs, and NYCFC still has a fair number of wingers under contract for 2025, so it's hard to see Layouni as the most likely new arrival in New York City.
• Nick Cushing out as head coach
November 26, 2024
Status: Official
The longest-tenured head coach in New York City FC's short history, Nick Cushing was let go by the club just two days after crashing out of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a home loss to New York Red Bulls.
Read more about the decision here, and Cushing's legacy here.
• Permanent trasnfer for Nicolás Acevedo?
November 12, 2024
Status: Rumor Confirmed (See Above)
Nicolás Acevedo last played for New York City FC on October 30, 2022 but he's still under contract in MLS despite spending the last two years on loan to fellow City Football Group team Esporte Clube Bahia in Brazil.
A permanent split between Acevedo and NYCFC might be approaching, though, as TerritorioMLS claims that Bahia is "analyzing" making Acevedo's stay in Brazil permanent in 2025. According to the report, New York City FC wants to sell Acevedo for a fee worth more than $3 million and Acevedo wants to continue playing in Brazil.
🚨🇳🇱| EXCLUSIVO: o #Bahia analisa a permanência em definitivo de Nicolas #Acevedo para 2025.
— Cristian Moraes (@18Cristian_MR) November 12, 2024
A proridade do #NYCFC é pela venda do jogador no valor acima de US$ 3 milhões. O desejo do jogador é permanecer no Brasil.
Apuração feita com o @oficialrafaels2, @territoriomls pic.twitter.com/jcK060FwWs
Acevedo has made 62 appearances with Bahia across two seasons but missed the vast majority of the 2024 campaign recovering from a torn ACL he suffered on the final matchday of the 2023 season. He had his loan to Bahia extended through 2024 despite the knee injury, and made his return from that injury on October 28, going on to make eight total appearances for Bahia this year (seven as a sub, one start). NYCFC reportedly paid $2.5 million to first sign Acevedo back in 2020 when the Uruguayan joined from Liverpool FC in his homeland.
• Besard Sabovic NYCFC's "first choice" in midfield?
November 2, 2024
Status: Rumor
26-year-old Swedish midfielder Besard Sabovic of Djurgården IF is reportedly a top target for New York City FC, according to a report from Expressen in Sweden. The article states that NYCFC is chasing Sabovic and that "a meeting between the parties has already taken place," while saying the midfielder looks set to leave the club that finished in Fourth Place in this latest Allsvenskan season.
🚨 Besard Sabovic, 26, jagas av klubbar i MLS. Han är New York City FC förstaval till mittfältet och parterna har redan haft ett första möte med spelaren om en potentiell flytt i vinter. 🇺🇸 #NYCFC https://t.co/60aLc9xcuc
— Anel Avdić (@AnelAvdic) November 2, 2024
Sabovic was also said to be a summer transfer target of West Bromwich Albion in the English Championship, but a move was rejected by Djurgården. Sabovic rated as one of the most physical midfielders in the Swedish top flight in 2024, leading the Allsvenskan in fouls committed (59) while ranking second for seeing 10 yellow cards across his 27 league appearances this year.
From the archive:
• 2024 NYCFC Transfer Tracker
Hudson River Blue Staff
• 2023 NYCFC Transfer Tracker: Summer Window edition
Hudson River Blue Staff
• 2023 NYCFC Transfer Tracker
Hudson River Blue Staff
