TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
UPDATE, (Aug. 5, 11:45 am ET) – FC Cincinnati have signed center back Matt Miazga from English Premier League side Chelsea FC, the club announced Friday.
Miazga, 27, signs with the Orange & Blue through the 2025 MLS season using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), with an option for 2026. He arrives via the No. 1 spot in the MLS Allocation Order, necessary because of his 2016 transfer from the New York Red Bulls to Chelsea.
“Matt is a dominant defender that has a wealth of experience internationally and across numerous leagues in Europe,” general manager Chris Albright said in a release. “But his knowledge of what it takes to compete and win in MLS, along with his high character and mentality, are what drew us to this opportunity.
"We feel he’s an excellent fit to the group that we’re building, and we are delighted to bring him to FC Cincinnati.”
Miazga made 169 appearances across Europe since his arrival over six years ago, mostly playing on loan. With RBNY, he won two Supporters' Shield as a homegrown player.
“I’m really excited to join FC Cincinnati,” said Miazga in a release. “It’s a pleasure to be back in the United States and be able to compete in MLS again. The project here in Cincinnati is something that has drawn me here, and I want to say a special thank you to Jeff Berding, Chris Albright and Pat Noonan, who were all a big part of me coming to FCC. I can’t wait to meet all the amazing supporters, who I’ve heard so many good things about, at TQL stadium.”
ORIGINAL, (Aug. 4, 1:45 pm ET) — FC Cincinnati are finalizing a deal to sign US men's national team center back Matt Miazga from Chelsea on a free transfer, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.
Miazga will sign a max-Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal, meaning he won't require a Designated Player spot. The Queen City Press' Laurel Pfahler first reported the deal was being finalized.
Cincinnati are atop the Allocation Order. Miazga can only be signed through the Allocation List, meaning Cincinnati won't need to make another move to get the deal done. The Secondary Transfer Window closes on Thursday night (Aug. 4).
Miazga, 27, broke through with the New York Red Bulls and signed with Chelsea in 2016. He never broke into the Chelsea first team, however, and was sent on loan to five different clubs throughout Europe during his time overseas, most recently with Alaves in Spain. He’s also played at Vitesse (Holland), Nantes (France), Reading (England) and Anderlecht (Belgium).
He has 22 caps with the USMNT but hasn't made an appearance with the Yanks since June 2021 against Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals.
Defensive help
Miazga will add a much-needed option in defense for the Orange & Blue, who have given up 42 goals, tied for third-most in the league. Nick Hagglund, Geoff Cameron and Ian Murphy are the main center backs at manager Pat Noonan's disposal.
Cincy are in contention for their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth since entering MLS as an expansion team in 2019. They enter the back half of Week 24 in ninth place in the Eastern Conference table with 29 points (7W-8L-8D).
With 11 matches to go, their next chance to move across the playoff line comes Saturday when hosting the Philadelphia Union at TQL Stadium (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+).
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