New York City Football Club Friday announced that it has acquired defender Braian Cufré on loan from La Liga side RCD Mallorca through the end of the 2023 Major League Soccer season.

His loan is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa. The club also has an option to acquire the player at the end of the loan period.

The Argentinean arrives to New York from RCD Mallorca after joining the side in 2020. The left back made 39 appearances, scoring one goal and providing three assists across all competitions for Los Piratas. He helped the club get promoted back to the first division of Spain. Last season, Cufré was on loan with LaLiga 2 side Málaga CF and made 27 appearances in the league and the Copa del Rey combined.

“He is a player we have followed for a number of years and was one of the top talents in Argentina which earned him the move to Mallorca,” NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a statement. “He is a skilled and technical left back that can contribute to both the attack and defense. Braian is entering the prime of his career and we believe that he can continue his development while also making an immediate impact on our team.

“Having played in Spain and Argentina, we believe he will bring valuable experience to the club and look forward to welcoming him into our group.”

The Mar de Plata native made his professional debut with Argentinian team Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in 2015 after coming through from their academy. Since then, the 5-10, 181-lb. defender has made 92 appearances scoring three goals and recording six assists in all competitions including the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s international club competition.

“I am excited to be joining New York City,” Cufré said in a statement. “They have shown that they are one of the tops teams in MLS and are always in the hunt for a championship. I look forward to continuing my development there and will look to use my experience abroad to help the team anyway I can.

“I want to thank everyone at the Club for giving me the opportunity to join such a wonderful club in such a great city. I can’t wait to meet our fans and play in front of them this season.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.