TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
New York City FC have promoted defender Stephen Turnbull to a first-team contract through the 2023 MLS season with options for 2024-25, the club announced Monday.
Turnbull, 25, is the first player from MLS NEXT Pro side NYCFC II to join NYCFC. The fullback has already played 23 minutes (two substitute appearances) this season while on a series of short-term loans.
"We are delighted to sign Stephen to a first-team contract," NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a release. "We have seen the progression Stephen has made since joining NYCFC II last season, and have been impressed with his technical ability, work ethic and quality he brought in preseason and in his stints with the first team this season."
Last season, Turnbull featured for NYCFC II after signing from Stony Brook University in February 2022. In 23 games, the attacking fullback scored five goals and provided four assists with an 82.6% passing success rate in 1,992 minutes played.
"I want to thank David Lee, Nick Cushing and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to live out my dreams of playing professional soccer," Turnbull said in a release. "This is just the beginning; I look forward to working hard every day to continue to get better and help this team compete for trophies across all competitions this season."
NYCFC are in their first full season under Cushing’s guidance. The club’s made the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs all but one year since joining the league in 2015.
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