NEW YORK – New York City FC Monday announced that it has acquired midfielder Nicolás Acevedo on a permanent transfer, using allocation money, from Uruguayan side Liverpool F.C.
The Uruguayan youth international will join the team upon acquisition of a P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.
The 5-8, 160-lb. Acevedo will occupy an international roster slot.
The central midfielder was awarded the “Joven Talento del 2019” by the Uruguayan Football Association which honors the best U-21 player in the country’s domestic league. Acevedo, 20, played 31 games as Liverpool finished fifth in the aggregate table last season.
His performances earned him a call-up to the Uruguayan U-20 national team where he helped lead his country to the Round of 16 in last year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. Acevedo also featured extensively with the U-23s as they finished third in the CONMEBOL Olympic qualifiers behind Argentina and Brazil earlier this year.
“Being an NYCFC player is a great pride for me, my family and my friends,” Acevedo said. “The truth is that going to a Club so big makes me excited and it’s an important step in my professional career. When I heard about this opportunity, I didn’t doubt it. I was so excited and eager to sign.
“It’s a club that works really hard with a great technical team and in a league that is growing a lot. I think I’m a simple player who likes to work hard for his team. I think I can contribute a lot to my teammates, to the group, and to be at 100 percent for the team.
“I want to try to play as many minutes as possible and try to win everything that we play. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates and all of the people that work for the Club. I want to tell the fans that I’m eager to arrive and to be there with them. I’m going to give 100 percent to NYCFC.”
Acevedo came through Liverpool’s academy in his native Montevideo and debuted for his boyhood club in 2018. He became captain in 2019 at 20 years old.
Since joining the senior side, Acevedo has helped Liverpool qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana twice and also scored a penalty in the shootout as his club lifted the “Torneo Intermedio” for the first time in 2019.
“Nicolás is a very good addition to our midfield and adds competition and depth across the position group,” NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila said. “He’s an excellent player technically and loves to win the ball back which is key in how we want to play our football. In possession, he’s able to dictate the tempo and that’s a quality that really helps us build from the back. I’m excited for him to get to New York and join the squad.”
Acevedo is the club’s second signing from the Uruguayan First Division. Valentin Castellanos spent the second half of 2018 on loan with NYCFC before joining permanently and having a breakout year in 2019.
