IMAGE, NYCOSMOS.COM

by JAKE NUTTING

Less than 48 hours after helping the New York Cosmos secure an important victory over Indy Eleven at Shuart Stadium, defender Hunter Freeman has officially joined Miami FC. The NASL expansion side made the move official Friday morning.

“We are very happy to have a player of Freeman’s caliber join our club,” said Miami’s Technical Director Mauro Pederzoli. “He has extensive MLS and NASL experience, and will provide a great veteran presence on the pitch and in the locker room.”

The 33-year-old defender traveled to Miami for a physical on Thursday and has already begun training with Miami. He will be available for selection for the team’s match in Puerto Rico on Saturday.

Freeman made 83 appearances across all competitions for the New York Cosmos after signing up for their reboot season in 2013. With 21 starts for New York this year, Freeman has the most minutes played of any Cosmos player.

The veteran will find familiar faces in Miami’s camp as he is the third player who started the year in New York to move to Miami. Midfielder Michael Lahoud and defender Gabriel Farfan moved to the South Florida club during the Spring Season when their parent clubs received sizable transfer offers from Miami.

Freeman was an outright transfer between the Cosmos and Miami, though. Cosmos head coach Gio Savarese said on Wednesday that the team received a six-figure transfer fee from Freeman for the deal.

Miami FC currently sits fifth on the Fall Season table and ninth in the Combined standings.