TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
New York City FC officially announced Saturday the signing of 21-year-old American central midfielder Keaton Parks on loan a year-long loan from Portuguese stalwarts Benfica.
The move, previously reported by MLSsoccer.com's own Sam Stejskal earlier this month, gives coach Domenec Torrent a versatile option in the center of the park.
“Keaton is a young American player that can play at a few different spots in the midfield," Torrent said in a statement. "He can play in the six position, but he can always play further up the field as an eight. Even though he’s a young player, he’s played professionally in Europe and that experience will help him as he joins our squad and competes for minute in our midfield.”
Parks has six appearances in all competitions for Benfica's first team, as well as seven goals and seven assists in more than 40 appearances for their reserve side, Benfica B, in the Portuguese second division.
He received his first US national team cap last May in a 3-0 friendly win against Bolivia at Talen Energy Stadium.
“It’s the best decision for me right now," Parks said in a statement. "It’s first division soccer, it’s good competition, it’s good experience and for me it’s the best opportunity for me right now. I’m excited to be able to live in the biggest city in the world and to play with a very well-known Club, a big Club in front of all of our fans. I’m just excited to get started.”
Originally from Plano, Texas, Parks joined Varzim SC in Portugal in 2015 when he turned 18 and then signed for Benfica in 2017.
