One of the most intriguing attacks in MLS got another element when New York City FC added on loan Santiago Rodriguez on Thursday.
The addition of the Uruguayan U23 midfielder adds to a midfield core already in place at New York City FC. The attack is intriguing, not so much for what the club has accomplished this year but rather the young potential coming together.
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Last month, NYCFC signed Talles Magno, a top player at Vasco da Gama and a forward on Brazil’s U17 national team. Now adding Rodriguez, a 21-year old attacking midfielder, is another piece for the ambitious club.
Rodriguez has 61 first division appearances in Uruguay. Most recently he’s been with Montevideo City Torque but he began his career with Club Nacional, one of the two dominant clubs in the country.
He has 13 goals and 16 assists in his career.
For New York City FC sporting director David Lee, Rodriguez is another signing that not only signals the club’s recent ambition of signing young, emerging talent but adds to a roster that is balanced and deep. Lee has very quietly built a club that has the pieces in place to challenge for hardware this year.
“We’re delighted to finalize the acquisition of Santiago before the close of the first transfer window. He is a dynamic, mobile and impactful player who can play in multiple positions in the attacking area of the field,” Lee as part of a statement released by the club.
“He’s already played a lot of senior football domestically and internationally, both at club level in Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana and for Uruguay’s youth national teams, including at the U-20 World Cup. Santiago is another exciting, young addition to our team and someone who will help us compete for trophies.”
The new NYCFC signing has a total of eight appearances for the Uruguayan U23 national team. He is quality signing for a NYCFC side that needed to upgrade their attack a bit, even as they’ve been quite good this year.
So far this year, New York City FC across seven matches has scored 13 goals, third most in MLS. They beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 on the road in their last match. After the international break, they return to the field at home against the New England Revolution on June 19.
The acquisition of Rodriguez came before the June 1 close of the Primary Transfer Window. He still awaits his paperwork.
So far this season, New York City FC is paced by Jesus Medina, who has five goals in seven games.
“We’re excited to add an attacking midfielder of Santiago’s quality into our team. He is a player that knows how to create chances for his teammates as well as for himself,” head coach Ronny Deila said as part of a statement released by the club.
“His goalscoring and assist record in Uruguay is impressive for a 21-year-old and he’s excited to be here in New York. We now have a lot of talent and depth in the attacking third of the pitch and it’s good to have everyone with us as we prepare for the MLS season to restart later this month.”