It's been a pretty rocky start to the offseason for NYCFC and their fanbase. These first weeks of 2021 have been overwhelmingly frustrating due to the lack of acquisitions made, especially given the key player departures that kicked off NYCFC's offseason and the abundance of signings by other MLS teams.
While there were mixed emotions from fans to the departure of Ronald Matarrita to FC Cincinnati, and the club's decision to sell NYCFC mainstay and captain, Alex Ring, to Austin FC for their inaugural campaign, all-in-all NYCFC has done some pretty good business on the selling front bringing in up to $1.85m in GAM.
This large sum of GAM, along with this recent Forbes article highlighting that NYCFC posted a $100m gain for City Football Group, has only exacerbated the fanbase's frustration with the club's lack of signings. Some have even called into question David Lee's ability to get deals across the line, and whether the club is going to be able to attract top players with Ronny Deila at the helm.
While these sentiments are a bit dramatic, they're not completely unfounded as there were a few rumored offers to players such as the Argentinian winger, Franco Servi, who NYCFC reportedly offered nearly $10m to Benfica for, actually rejected NYCFC's offer and is likely to join LaLiga side Celta Vigo.
Amidst NYCFC's reported struggles to make signings, there has also been the looming threat of a work stoppage and lockout on the league. Some NYCFC fans offered the uncertainty of the ongoing CBA negotiations as a possible reason for the lack of signings. However, now that CBA negotiations are over and the MLS season is set to kick off on April 17th, the pressure is back on NYCFC from its fanbase to bring in players that can help the club finally lift its first piece of silverware.
This journey seemingly starts with finding a replacement for Matarrita at left fullback, and reports have been bubbling up of 22 year-old leftback, Malte Amundsen, from Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Superliga for 9.75m Danish Kroner, or $1.25m USD. As seen below, a Vejle B fan account referenced a local Danish newspaper called Ekstra Bladet.
Translation: #vejleB Malte Amundsen moves to New York City FC for DKK 9.75 million. [@EkstraBladet]
The impending transfer was later reaffirmed by our very own Will Forbes (@TransfersMLS)
With Malte seeming to be the first major signing for NYCFC this offseason, there's reason for the Pigeons to be excited. Here's a Malte Amundsen highlight reel:
While NYCFC have yet to release an official announcement, this bodes well for the signings to start coming in.