UPDATE: An earlier version of this release incorrectly stated that $150,000 in General Allocation Money was traded from Cincinnati to Toronto. That figure has been updated to reflect the $200,000 in General Allocation Money that was traded from Cincinnati to Toronto.
CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has acquired defender Nick Hagglund and the No. 24 Allocation Ranking from Toronto FC in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and the No. 1 Allocation Ranking.
Hagglund, 26, joins FC Cincinnati after five professional seasons with Toronto FC (2014-18) and will occupy a domestic roster spot on FC Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster. He becomes the first player from Cincinnati to join FC Cincinnati’s Major League Soccer roster.
“We are thrilled to add Nick to our roster,” FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch said. “He has been part of a team that has captured an MLS Cup championship and knows what is required to achieve and sustain success in this league. We look forward to his return to Cincinnati and seeing him embrace this opportunity to play for his hometown.”
The defender has made 88 MLS regular-season appearances, including 67 starts, with TFC. In 2017, he was part of the squad that claimed Toronto’s first-ever MLS Cup championship. Last season, he scored a career-high three goals in 20 appearances.
Hagglund has made 10 MLS Cup Playoffs appearances, including six starts, in his five-year career. He scored the tying goal in the second leg of the 2016 Eastern Conference final against Montreal to force extra time in the series. Toronto went on to win the match and earn its first-ever berth in an MLS Cup final.
The Cincinnati native began his professional career after being chosen by Toronto FC as the No. 10 overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of Xavier University.
The next time Cincinnati takes the field, it will be as MLS’ 24th team in 2019 when the club debuts in the top professional league in the U.S. and Canada.
FC Cincinnati’s debut MLS game will be at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 2, at CenturyLink Field. The Orange and Blue will make its home debut as an MLS team at Nippert Stadium on Sunday, March 17, when the team hosts MLS Cup finalist Portland Timbers at 5 p.m. Season Ticket Member presales for single-game, group and mini plans are currently underway and those options will be available to the general public starting Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK).
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For more information about FC Cincinnati tickets - including 2019 season tickets - call 513-977-KICK (5425) or visit fccincinnati.com/tickets.
Transaction: FC Cincinnati acquired D Nick Hagglund and the No. 24 Allocation Ranking in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money, $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and the No. 1 Allocation Ranking on Jan. 23, 2019.
NICK HAGGLUND
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 193
Birthdate: Sept. 14, 1992
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Last Club: Toronto FC (MLS)
Nationality: United States
MLS Roster Status: Domestic Player
How Acquired: Via trade from Toronto FC on Jan. 23, 2019
