CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati have acquired defender Matt Miazga from Chelsea FC of the English Premier League, the club announced today. Miazga, 27, joins the Orange and Blue on a contract through the 2025 season using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), with an option for 2026, via the No. 1 spot in the MLS Allocation Order.
Miazga joined Chelsea FC in January 2016 from New York Red Bulls at the age of 20. The Clifton, New Jersey native made two Premier League appearances that season for the Blues. Overall, Miazga made 169 appearances across Europe since his arrival over six years ago, winning the 2017 Dutch Cup with Vitesse Arnhem and the 2022 UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea.
“Matt is a dominant defender that has a wealth of experience internationally and across numerous leagues in Europe,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “But his knowledge of what it takes to compete and win in MLS, along with his high character and mentality, are what drew us to this opportunity. We feel he’s an excellent fit to the group that we’re building, and we are delighted to bring him to FC Cincinnati.”
The center back played two seasons on loan with Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivise from 2016-18. Miazga then went on loan to FC Nantes in the French Ligue 1 for the beginning of 2018 before joining Reading FC in the EFL Championship on loan in January 2019. He returned to Chelsea in July 2020 before going on loan to RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League that October. Most recently, the American defender played 10 matches on loan with Deportivo Alavés in the Spanish La Liga in 2021-22.
“I’m really excited to join FC Cincinnati,” said Miazga. “It’s a pleasure to be back in the United States and be able to compete in MLS again. The project here in Cincinnati is something that has drawn me here, and I want to say a special thank you to Jeff Berding, Chris Albright and Pat Noonan, who were all a big part of me coming to FCC. I can’t wait to meet all the amazing supporters, who I’ve heard so many good things about, at TQL stadium.”
Internationally, Miazga has made 22 appearances for the United States Men’s National Team, winning the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2020 CONCACAF Nations League. He scored his lone international goal in a 3-0 group stage victory over Nicaragua in the 2017 Gold Cup.
Prior to joining Chelsea, Miazga was a 2013 New York Red Bulls Homegrown signing. He made 38 appearances for Red Bulls, including 30 in the club’s 2015 MLS Supporters’ Shield winning campaign. Miazga also won the 2013 MLS Supporters’ Shield in his debut season in Harrison.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati acquire Matt Miazga from Chelsea FC, signing the defender to a TAM deal through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026, via the No. 1 spot in the MLS Allocation Order on Aug. 5, 2022.
MATT MIAZGA
Position: Central Defender
Height: 6’3’’
Birthdate: July 19, 1995 (27)
Birthplace: Clifton, New Jersey, USA
Nationality: American
