Transfer News: USMNT midfielder signs with Man City?
In an unexpected move, Umbro broke news on Saturday that MLS and USMNT vet Mix Diskerud had signed a deal with Manchester City.
Mix Diskerud has already had a fairly interesting career at only 27. Following the path of many of USMNT capped players of somewhat obscure, to an interesting European league based player, national team contributor, MLS starter, and finally into the wilderness.
After two seasons with New York City FC, he was loaned out to IFK Goteborg in Sweden. Over 2017 he made 25 appearances, scoring 5 times, and falling completely off the USMNT radar (which I guess wasn’t a bad thing in 2017).
Mix’s next move?
On Saturday news on Diskerud’s next contract broke and it wasn’t exactly what people were expected. Perhaps you thought NYCFC would sell him to a second tier European based league or to another MLS club before the start of the 2018 season. You would have been wrong because it was the obvious choice of EPL-leading Manchester City that signed the Norwegian-American.
Delighted to report the news that @MixDiskerud will further be cementing his relationship with Umbro in our hometown, as he proudly continues his footballing development with a 4,5y Manchester City FC contract. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/JEYJdjoTPZ
— Umbro (@umbro) January 27, 2018
To make it an even stranger move, Umbro was the one who announced the new contract via Twitter. He signs a 4.5 year deal with the Manchester club, which includes being a brand ambassador for Umbro (headquartered in the UK city). But it leaves Man City, USMNT, and MLS fans with a few puzzling questions.
Why and what are their plans with Mix?
They wouldn’t have signed him to a contract of that length if they were planning on selling him. So where is he going?
Back to NYCFC on loan? Unlikely, Vieira is still there and that didn’t end well. Playing for Manchester City in the EPL, helping them finish their title run? Yeah….no. Off to Melbourne on loan? Well, that doesn’t really align with the whole promote the Umbro brand across Europe.
The only other option is in La Liga where the City Football Group owns 44% of Girona.
Next: Gregory Van Der Wiel on the way to Toronto?
If nothing else, US soccer fans were reminded that Mix is still out there. Exactly what he is being paid to do in 2018 is still up in the air. Send in your theories.