Maxi Moralez returns to Racing Club - Record field player for NYCFC
It is now official. After 194 games (36 goals and 60 assists), Maxi Moralez will leave New York City FC as a free agent and return to his youth club Racing Club in Argentina. The Major League Soccer club made that deal official on Friday morning. In Moralez, NYCFC lose the field player with the most games played in club history (overview). Moralez also played a key role in the club's 2021 MLS Cup victory.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to have been able to get to know and work with Maxi," sporting director David Lee said in a club statement. "No one can deny the significant impact he’s had these past six seasons; he’ll always have legendary status at the Club and amongst our fans, as he has given us so many fantastic memories. As well as his unbelievable skill, he has been a true professional since day one and a role model for our young players."
Moralez now returns to the club where his career started. The 35-year-old first broke into Racing's first team in the 2005/06 season, and a short stint at FK Moskva aside played 84 games (15 goals and 9 assists) for the Argentine club before permanently leaving for Vélez Sarsfield. From Sarsfield, Moralez would eventually move on to Italy, where he played for Atalanta and then Club Léon in Mexico before he finally joined NYCFC in 2017.
Moralez returns to Racing - "It was a dream of mine" to return one day
Ultimately, it was always Moralez's dream to one day return to his academy club. “Racing is where I started; they raised me, many years ago they gave me the opportunity to play professional football and be in the position I’m in today," Moralez said. "It was a dream of mine, of my children and my family, to see me play at Racing and I’d like for it to come true for them."
Harrison, Scally, Ring & Co.: NYCFC record departures
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 27, 1987 (37)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- New York City FC
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2024
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €200k
- Total Market Value:
- €55.90m
- Competition:
- Copa de la Liga Profesional de Fútbol
- Position:
- 5.
- Manager:
- Gustavo Costas
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Agustín Urzi
- Total Market Value:
- €54.13m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Nick Cushing
- Squad size:
- 31
- Latest Transfer:
- Rio Hope-Gund