FC Cincinnati: Jürgen Locadia 'pissed off' but confident in hims...

PHOTOS: FC Cincinnati players meet with media before heading to spring training

Pat Brennan | Cincinnati Enquirer

Now-former English Premier League striker Jürgen Locadia should don the Orange and Blue of FC Cincinnati to start the 2020 season.

Locadia, 26, will signed with FCC, league sources told The Enquirer on Friday afternoon.

The transaction is set to start as a loan deal for six months for Locadia at Cincinnati. FCC will then have an option to purchase the Dutch international from Brighton and Hove Albion of the English Premier League for two and a half years, to be executed at the end of June.

The transfer fee to bring him to Cincinnati wasn't disclosed.

New: Sources tell the @ENQSports that Jürgen Locadia to #FCCincy is essentially "a done deal." He'll come for an initial period of sixth months w/ option to purchase in June for two-and-a-half years. Fixed transfer fee hasn't been disclosed. @Enquirer — Pat Brennan (@PBrennanENQ) January 31, 2020

Locadia most recently played at TSG Hoffenheim of the Bundesliga via a loan from Brighton.

In January 2018, Locadia became Brighton's then-record signing at more than $19 million. His deal runs through June 2022.

It's expected Locadia would occupy one of FC Cincinnati's two remaining designated-player roster spots.

Locadia scored 72 goals at the senior club level in 231 combined appearances for Brighton, Hoffenheim and Dutch top-flight outfit PSV Eindhoven.

{{props.notification}} {{props.tag}} {{props.expression}} {{props.linkSubscribe.text}} {{#modules.acquisition.inline}}{{/modules.acquisition.inline}} ... Our reporting. Your stories. Get unlimited digital access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now

In the current Bundesliga season, he had four goals in 11 appearances at Hoffenheim.

His last goal and assist for Hoffenheim came in November and December, respectively, while his last appearance was an eight-minute run late in a 2-1 loss against Eintracht Frankfurt on Jan. 18.

The Associated Press

In a Friday morning text to The Enquirer, Cincinnati general manager Gerard Nijkamp said the club hasn't closed a deal on any player yet but that he "had a good feeling" about Locadia and is awaiting "100% agreement" from all parties involved.

Nijkamp reaffirmed this later in the day.

Added Nijkamp, "And working on a second signing and close also."

FC Cincinnati's need for additional attacking players is underscored by several factors, including that the club's current forwards scored just seven goals combined in Major League Soccer in 2019.

FC Cincinnati also appears to be weighing a move for Darren Mattocks, who tallied three goals and three assists last season.

On a Thursday conference call, Cincinnati head coach Ron Jans said Mattocks wasn't in the club's plans.

Following the club's 3-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, Jans reiterated the need for attacking players.