CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has signed midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin ahead of the club’s debut season in Major League Soccer. McLaughlin, 25, and Corben Bone are the only players to be with FC Cincinnati since the club’s founding in 2015.

As a United States citizen, McLaughlin will occupy a domestic roster spot on Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster.

“Going to MLS with this club is so special, it means the world to me. FC Cincinnati and the city of Cincinnati in general has been incredible, not just for my soccer career, but also for my life,” McLaughlin said. “I’ve loved every minute that I’ve spent in this city, the people have welcomed me with open arms. I’m so honored to continue on with this team and progress to the next level with them.”

McLaughlin was announced as one of FC Cincinnati’s first 11 signings on Dec. 7, 2015 when the club was in preparations for its first USL season. During his three years with the Orange and Blue at the USL level, McLaughlin made 103 appearances, including 72 starts, scored 12 goals and added 11 assists across all competitions.

“For our club and for the fans, it’s huge to take Jimmy, because he’s been with this club since the very beginning,” Koch said. “From a coaching perspective, however, it’s really what he means to the team. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he brings us so much energy and can be very influential in a game. He’s grown into a very, very good professional player and I know he’s hungry to grab the opportunity that he’s going to be presented.”

McLaughlin made 30 appearances, including 11 starts, scored two goals and added four assists for the Orange and Blue in 2018. He was one of just four players to make at least 30 appearances over the course of the season. The energetic midfielder finished the season strong, recording three of his four assists in the final six matches of the USL regular season. In addition, he became the first player in club history to reach 100 career appearances across all competitions.

McLaughlin signed with the Philadelphia Union as the club’s second-ever Homegrown Player after playing one year of college soccer at Colgate University in 2011. From 2012-15, McLaughlin split time between the Union and the Harrisburg City Islanders. With the Union, McLaughlin made seven appearances with one start across all competitions. With Harrisburg, he made 56 appearances, scored eight goals and recorded two assists across all competitions.

In his first year with FC Cincinnati in 2016, McLaughlin made 30 appearances, including 28 starts, scored four goals and added two assists. In 2017, he made a career-high 31 appearances, including 26 starts, scored a career-high five goals and added three assists. He also appeared in four of FC Cincinnati’s six U.S. Open Cup matches, including the semifinal round against the New York Red Bulls.

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 team 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 M Jimmy McLaughlin as a free agent on Dec. 10, 2018.

JIMMY McLAUGHLIN

Pronunciation: muh-GLOCK-lin

Jersey Number: 20

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-8

Weight: 150

Birthdate: April 30, 1993

Birthplace: Malvern, Pa.

Hometown: Malvern, Pa.

Last Club: FC Cincinnati (USL)

Nationality: United States

MLS Roster Status: Domestic Player

Twitter: @J_McLaughlinIII

How Acquired: Signed as a free agent on Dec. 10, 2018