New York City FC announced Wednesday that they have transferred midfielder Kwadwo Poku to Miami FC of the North American Soccer League.
Poku, 24, a native of Ghana, leaves NYCFC after a year-and-a-half in which he scored five goals and had seven assists in 34 competitive matches, including nine starts in MLS and two in the US Open Cup. But after an impressive first season with the club in 2015, he struggled to find playing time under new coach Patrick Vieira, and had just seven appearances (three starts) and one goal in 2016.
“This is a move that really makes sense for us,’’ NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a statement provided by the club. “Miami came with a significant offer that will give us options in the summer transfer window and beyond. We know and understand that at this stage of his career, playing regular first team football is very important to Poku.
“We’d like to thank Poku for his contribution to the building of New York City FC on and off the pitch. Everyone at the club wishes him the very best in this next chapter of his career.’’
Poku originally arrived at NYCFC at the beginning of the 2015 season, after a breakout year in the 2014 NASL campaign with the Atlanta Silverbacks. He was named No. 7 on MLSsoccer.com's 24 Under 24 list for 2015 and made his first international appearance for Ghana in October 2015.
