New York City FC are delighted to announce that John Stertzer has signed for the club.
The 26-year old midfielder has traveled with the team during preseason and has agreed to join for the 2017 season.
Stertzer told NYCFC.com: “It feels great – I’m so grateful for the opportunity NYCFC have given me to come in and try to earn the spot. From day one, I’ve felt like I was at home, everyone has been so open and welcoming, giving me the confidence to push forward.
“I grew up watching Patrick as a player and he’s such a great coach - I feel like I’ve already learned so much from the first camp right through to now - I’m learning so much every day.
“I’m super happy to be here and now I just want to repay the faith that’s been shown in me and make the fans happy, not just in preseason but in the MLS season.”
Head Coach Patrick Vieira said: “What I like about John is his attitude and his work ethic – he’s a really smart player who is a goalscorer.
“The timing of his runs inside the box is really good - he’s always at the right place at the right time and his finishing is excellent.”
“He’s someone has really fought for a spot and he will bring a lot of competition for his position. To add one more quality player to our roster is really pleasing.
Vieira continued: “He’s got a lot of experience of MLS – he’s been in the league for a while now and we’re fortunate to find a player of his caliber at this period of the season.
“I’m glad he’s come and shown his quality and his desire to stay with us. We are happy, he’s happy and so we hope it will be a successful relationship this season.”
Sporting Director Claudio Reyna praised the attitude John has shown in preseason on his trial in Jacksonville, Ecuador and Tucson.
Reyna added: “John has come in and impressed from day one. I know Patrick is really pleased with how he’s settled into the team and fitted into the system that we want to play.
“He also has a great deal of experience in MLS and we think he’s going to compete for playing time in midfield - for us, he’s a very pleasant surprise in terms of how quickly he’s adapted to the way in which Patrick wants to play.
“John’s got a great attitude and is a player who has shown his determination in wanting to come in and earn a contract right from the start. We saw very early that he was someone who could help us and so we’re excited to add him to the squad.”
Stertzer joins following five seasons at Real Salt Lake where he made 48 Regular Season appearances, scoring one goal – ironically, against his new club in NYCFC’s inaugural season.
He signed for Real Salt Lake after graduating from the University of Maryland where he finished his Terrapins career with 25 goals and 13 assists in 79 games.
John scored against Jacksonville University and C.S Emelec in his first two friendly games with NYCFC and also shone against Red Bulls in his third appearance on Wednesday.
