TRANSFER TRACKER: Signing
New York City FC added some depth to their backline with the acquisition of Sebastien Ibeagha on Tuesday.
The 26-year old central defender, who spent the preseason on trial with the club, was named the USL Defender of the Year in 2017 while playing for NYCFC's USL affiliate San Antonio FC.
“I’m really excited – it’s been cool to come in from an affiliate team in San Antonio in USL and to join NYCFC for preseason and to see that come to fruition,” Ibeagha told NYCFC.com. “The first thing I learned coming in for preseason was that this is a team of great guys. I’ve never seen a team in MLS as close as this, coming together in preseason to welcome people into the family and to take the new guys under their wings and making it easy to settle in.”
Ibeagha was born in Nigeria but grew up in Texas, playing for the Houston Dynamo academy before starring collegiately at Duke and then playing overseas for Danish clubs Horsens and Fredericia, as well as Fram Reykjavik in Iceland.
He signed in 2016 with the Dynamo but spent the year on loan with Rio Grande Valley FC and Rayo OKC before signing with San Antonio FC last year.
“I like the way Sebastien trained,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said. “He showed a lot of character, he’s physically very strong and his tactical knowledge is very interesting. Of course there is room for him to improve himself but I’m not worried about that because he’s a quick learner and he’s somebody who asks a lot of questions.”
NYCFC open the season Sunday vs. Sporting Kansas City (7:30 pm ET, FS1).
MLS Fantasy Impact: You can add Ibeagha ($4.5) to your team right away. Start playing!
