CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has signed defender Mathieu Deplagne ahead of the club’s debut season in Major League Soccer. Deplagne, 27, joins FC Cincinnati after playing eight professional seasons, seven of which have come in France’s top-tier Ligue 1.

A native of France, Deplagne will occupy an international roster spot on Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster upon the receipt of his U.S. P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

“It is an awesome opportunity for me and for my career at the age of 27,” Deplagne said. “I have played my entire professional career in France and I wanted to discover something new, it is really the perfect timing for me. I hope to stay here for a long time.”

Deplagne has made 148 appearances across all competitions in his eight-year professional career. The defender has scored one career goal and has contributed five assists. He provides versatility to FC Cincinnati’s backline with experience at both center back and right back.

“We look forward to adding a player of Mathieu’s caliber to our organization,” FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch said. “He has played in matches against some of the best clubs in the world and has a history of success on the pitch. We are excited to see him embrace a new challenge here in Cincinnati.”

A native of Montpellier, France, Deplagne came through the youth system of his hometown Montpellier HSC. He made his professional debut with the Montpellier first team during the 2010-11 Ligue 1 season. Deplagne made a combined 113 appearances, including 92 starts, scored one goal and added three assists across all competitions for Montpellier from 2010-17.

While he did not make a league appearance in his second professional season, Deplagne was named to the 18-man matchday squad for seven matches during Montpellier’s first-ever Ligue 1 Championship campaign in 2011-12. The defender emerged as a consistent starter during the 2013-14 season, earning at least 20 starts in three of his final four seasons as a Montpellier player.

After the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, Deplagne joined fellow Ligue 1 side, ES Troyes AC. With Troyes, he made 28 Ligue 1 appearances and tallied a career-high two assists in the 2017-18 season. Deplagne made a combined seven appearances with Troyes during the current Ligue 2 season.

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. Season tickets for the 2019 season are now on sale at fccincinnati.com/tickets.

For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the teame 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 signed D Mathieu Deplagne on Dec. 19, 2018

MATHIEU DEPLAGNE

Pronunciation: mat-TYOU deh-PLAN

Position: Defender

Height: 6-0

Weight: 168

Birthdate: October 1, 1991

Birthplace: Montpellier, France

Hometown: Montpellier, France

Last Club: ES Troyes AC (FRA)

Nationality: France

MLS Roster Status: International Player

How Acquired: Signed on Dec. 19, 2018