TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report
A report from Barcelona-based newspaper Sport indicates superstar forward David Villa would like to play for one more pro season, but that it likely won't be with New York City FC.
Villa, who will turn 37 in December, is out of contract following the season, with NYCFC unlikely to renew the Designated Player signing according to the report. For the first time during a four-year MLS tenure, Villa was hampered at times by injury in 2018, but still managed 14 league goals and five assists in 23 appearances (20 starts).
After Sunday's MLS Cup Playoff defeat to Atlanta United, coach Dome Torrent indicated it was too soon to discuss the future of the man known in Spain as El Guaje.
“I don’t know. It’s not the right time, believe me, because we are disappointed,” NYCFC coach Dome Torrent said after the match. “Right now it’s not the best moment to speak about that, about David, about the contract because [NYCFC sporting director] Claudio [Reyna] is ready to talk about that with the players in the next two or three days.”
Either way, he will be NYCFC's all-time leading scorer for some time, currently possessing 77 league goals. The second person on that list? Frank Lampard, who has 15.
“He’s a legend. The club and the city can be thankful for a guy like him to have played in our team,” midfielder Alex Ring said. “I don’t know what he’s decided. He’ll probably tell that himself. I hope he continues because he’s a flagpole for the club, for the league. Let’s not forget what he’s done in this league. He’s had a couple of injuries this season. You shouldn’t forget or sleep on that, but we’ll see. These are things, I can’t make him continue. We hope for the best and we’ll see of course.”
“David is David. He’s been tremendous for this club. There’s no doubt about that,” added goalkeeper Sean Johnson. “You understand in this sport, especially when you don’t achieve what you set out to that change is inevitable. It’s just a part of the business. Obviously David has given us everything he has and it’s been tremendous for me to play with him over two seasons.”
