New York City FC traveled to Manchester, England, for the second leg of their preseason tour in February.
The Club went in with the sole intentions of playing a pair of preseason friendlies and training at City Football Academy.
New York City FC left with more than a win and a loss.
On March 31, the Club announced the signing of goalkeeper Eirik Johansen from Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad.
“We didn’t go into the Manchester trip with any intention of finding a fourth goalkeeper,” New York City FC head coach Jason Kreis said. “We needed him for some of the training we were doing, some of the smaller-number stuff where we needed four goalkeepers.
“He came out and really impressed us. It very quickly changed our plan and we figured out a solution to be able to acquire him.”
The 22-year-old Norwegian joins goalies Josh Saunders, Ryan Meara and Akira Fitzgerald on the New York City FC roster for their inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
Johansen, who has 33 appearances for Norway at the youth level, said there’s a lot to learn from not only Saunders, a decorated MLS veteran, but all of his new position mates.
“I can learn from everyone who is here,” said the 6-foot-7 Johansen. “I’m the youngest, although I’m the biggest guy, but you can always pick up things from each other. Goalkeepers as a group are really good bouncing stuff off each other, they’re open to suggestions and learning from each other.”
Johansen joined New York City FC in England and made appearances in a pair of friendlies prior to the 2015 MLS season.
He came on as a second-half substitute against Brondby on February 15 at CFA and again on February 25 against the Houston Dynamo in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
“It’s a great honor, obviously,” Johansen said. “It’s very good because I’ve been training with the guys for several weeks. I joined up with them in Manchester and everything evolved from there and now I’m here. I know the guys already and they’ve been really welcoming.”
