TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Extension
One of the brightest spots of the 2019 season for FC Cincinnati is set to stick around.
The club announced on Thursday they have signed Allan Cruz to a multi-year contract extension using Targeted Allocation Money.
Cruz, 23, joined FC Cincy prior to their debut season in MLS and led the team in scoring for the season, with seven goals from a midfield position in 22 regular-season appearances, and was named team MVP and was voted FCC Players’ Player of the Year.
“We are delighted to sign Allan Cruz to a contract extension,” FC Cincinnati general manager Gerard Nijkamp said in a team statement. “When Allan gets the ball, he provides creativity for us in the final third. While he is still a developing player, who we believe will continue to improve, we think his playmaking ability is a great quality to have on our team.”
Cruz previously played in his native Costa Rica, making his first-team debut for CS Uruguay in 2014 before establishing himself at Herediano, where he won the 2018 Concacaf League title. The Costa Rican international has 17 caps to date and featured in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup for the Ticos.
“First of all, I am grateful to God for giving me this opportunity to be here in Cincinnati. I am happy. I am glad to extend my contract with Cincinnati,” Cruz said via a translator. “Now, I hope that next season we do things right for the fans. We have to prove that what happened to us this season isn’t what we wanted, but god-willing, everything will come out to plan next season.”
