Mix Diskerud is coming to America. Finally.
New York City FC announced on Tuesday that they have inked Diskerud to a contract ahead of their upcoming MLS debut season, bringing a talented midfield playmaker to the Big Apple and finally landing Diskerud in a league he’s flirted with for years.
NYCFC used the top spot in the MLS Allocation Order to sign Diskerud after they won the spot in the Expansion Priority Draft in September. Diskerud, who was acquired on a free transfer, will not be considered a Designated Player, and therefore was subjected to the Allocation Order like other USMNT players in recent years such as Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra and Benny Feilhaber.
Per league rules, details of the contract were not disclosed.
“New York City FC have made my wish as an American a reality by giving me the opportunity to play and live in the US," Diskerud said in a club statement. “Everybody I have spoken to on the men’s national team about [NYCFC manager] Jason Kreis has spoken highly of him to me. I felt exactly the same way after meeting him. I’m sure he will help me to develop my game, to succeed with our team here in New York and to stay involved with the national team. Coming to play for New York City FC was an easy decision for me.”
Diskerud, 24, has made 25 career appearances for the USMNT since his debut in 2010, and made head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster for the World Cup last summer. Born in Norway to a Norwegian father and American mother, Diskerud spent his early childhood in the United States and played at youth levels for both countries before ultimately choosing to play for the US permanently in 2009.
Although he failed to appear in any of the Americans’ four matches in Brazil, Diskerud has scored two goals in five appearances since the World Cup, most recently in the Americans’ friendly against the Republic of Ireland in November. He also scored a goal in the team’s first World Cup tuneup match against Azerbaijan in May.
Diskerud has spent his entire professional career playing in his native Norway. He joined Stabæk in 2008 and made 81 appearances with the club before he eventually left for Rosenborg, where he’s scored five goals in 59 appearances since 2012.
Diskerud’s contract with Rosenborg expired at the end of last season, however, and his performances with the USMNT have placed him on the radar of multiple MLS clubs in recent years. His most famous flirtation came in 2013, when he was reportedly close to signing with the Portland Timbers after he developed a strong relationship with Timbers head coach Caleb Porter during the US Under-23 team’s failed Olympic qualifying campaign in 2012.
But that deal ultimately fell through, as did a potential deal with Columbus Crew SC last summer. As recently as last month Diskerud was linked to Liga MX side Club Tijuana, but now NYCFC have pounced on a player who will be expected to help pull the strings for head coach Jason Kreis this season at Yankee Stadium.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Mix coming to play in New York. He’s one of the brightest young talents in US soccer and will be a fantastic addition to our Club and to MLS," said NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. "Mix is a dynamic midfielder who will easily fit into the style we want to play here in New York City. He keeps possession well and gets everyone involved with his passing range."
Diskerud joins an NYCFC midfield very much in flux with less than two months remaining before the club’s debut against fellow expansion side Orlando City on March 8. Although they’ve landed proven MLS players like Ned Grabavoy, Mehdi Ballouchy and Sebastian Velasquez, English Premier League veteran Frank Lampard won’t join the team until July, potentially leaving Diskerud with some of the heavy lifting for the club this spring.
NYCFC will open their preseason camp on Jan. 24 in Florida.
