2023-08-08 22:56:02
NEW YORK (AP) — Maxi Moralez returns to New York City FC.
The MLS club announced Tuesday that it has re-hired the Argentine midfielder after an eight-month stint with Racing Club, of his country’s first division.
NYCFC indicated that the 36-year-old will be under contract until the end of the 2024 season.
In his first stage, when he signed as a franchise player in 2017, Moralez played 194 games. He scored 36 goals and dished out 60 assists in all competitions, becoming the American league champion in 2021.
After parting ways with NYCFC at the end of last season, Moralez landed at Racing but did not have much continuity under the direction of coach Fernando Gago. He terminated his contract with La Academia last week after playing 23 games, just eight starts.
“I felt that it was a debt that I had to pay, to be able to fulfill my family’s dream of playing for the club of my youth once again,” Moralez said of his time at Racing. “Now my focus is on adapting to the team as soon as possible, to help coach Nick Cushing.”
NYCFC is 13th among 15 Eastern Conference teams, four points behind the playoff spots.
“After his time in Argentina, Maxi wanted to return home and we were happy to facilitate his return to New York,” said sporting director David Lee. “Maxi is a leader, he knows the league well and excels in high-pressure moments. . He has a series of extremely important games ahead of him, and having a player of his caliber and experience is a must for our squad.”
Moralez’s return rounds out a hectic summer market for NYCFC. He signed Costa Rican striker Alonso Martínez, Argentine winger Julián Fernández and Algerian striker Mounsef Bakrar. Brazilian winger Gabriel Pereira left to sign with Qatari club Al-Rayyan.
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