Agustín Ojeda has nevertheless officially joined New York City FC, with the club announcing his signing as an under-22 initiative player until 2028 with an option for 2029.
Reports that Ojeda had left Racing Club de Avellaneda in Argentina for New York surfaced in mid-January, and his move to NYCFC was described as a “closed deal” through Cesar Luis Merlo on January 19.
NYCFC would pay a $5. 5 million moving fee to Racing Club, which could go up to $7. 5 million if Ojeda meets certain functionality criteria.
Ojeda is a 19-year-old forward from Rosario, Argentina, who has most commonly played on the left or right wing for Racing in his 24 appearances for the club since 2022. He has scored 3 goals and has two assists in the 24. appearances, and is expected to add more speed and outspokenness to NYCFC’s offense.
The player nicknamed “Trapito” becomes the new South American promise to sign for New York, arriving shortly after his compatriot Julian Fernandez, 20. The signing of Agustín Ojeda also comes some time after NYCFC incorporated Hannes Wolf, who signs with Borussia Mönchengladbach with a weak move to establish themselves in the German Bundesliga.
Both Wolf and Ojeda played most of their professional minutes on the left side of their team’s formations, and rumors about Talles Magno’s move died down. Then, all of a sudden, Nick Cushing has a multitude of features available to him as he looks to pick someone to function as a left winger or left midfielder.
While young and with limited professional experience under his belt in Argentina, Ojeda still carries an impressive pedigree. Argentine newspaper La Nacion has referred to him as the “jewel” of the Racing academy, and the club reportedly felt strongly enough about “Trapito” to sign him to a contract until 2026 which included a $16 million release clause.
Ojeda, as a player, looks to be a willing runner who excels with the ball at his feet. In the last 365 days, Ojeda averaged 3.37 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, along with 5.15 progressive carries per 90 minutes—those rates place him in the 95th and 93rd percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in what soccer data site FBref.com considers the Men’s Next 14 competitions, which includes Argentina’s top-flight as well as MLS, Mexico’s Liga MX, and others.
To put it in context, in the 2023 MLS season, some offensive players in the league who have posted similar 90-fold rates of sack wins and progressive runs include LAFC star and MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga (3. 10 sacks/90, 5. 20). Minnesota United FC’s Emanuel Reynoso (4. 50 successful receptions/90, 5. 10 progressive carries/90) and the LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig (3. 30 successful receptions/90, 5. 60 progressive carries/90).
Expecting a 19-year-old like Ojeda to enter MLS and perform alongside three of the league’s most productive players is unrealistic, however, the limited duration of the Argentine teenager’s tenure with Racing Club shows glimpses of what can simply get on NYCFC’s offense. Be prepared for targeted dribbles and attempts to reach the opponent’s defensive lines once Trapito is aware and inserted into the rotations of Nick Cushing’s NYCFC roster.
Acclimatization to this NYCFC attack may be aided by the presence of Maxi Moralez in rehab. Teammate of Moralez Ojeda at Racing Club in 2023 before Moralez returned to NYCFC, so Ojeda arrives in New York with the added bonus of having a familiar face in his new team.
He may not be the last offensive reinforcement added by NYCFC sporting director David Lee either. Reports imply that Red Star Belgrade’s 18-year-old Serbian striker Jovan Mijatović could also be sold to Manchester City for €10 million and then loaned out. to NYCFC. It is also reported that Uruguayan forward Matías Arezo is about to sign for New York. The city of York.
Agustin Ojeda is a young addition to what is already one of MLS’s youngest groups, but he can become an attacking staple for 2024 and beyond.
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