New York City FC have loaned out central defender Jefferson Mena to Barcelona S.C. for the 2017 season. The club announced the move today by at a press conference by Barcelona SC, adding that the loan was for one year with an option to buy.

Jefferson Mena joined NYCFC halfway through their inaugural 2015 season and played 23 games over one and a half season with the club. He featured in 16 matches for NYCFC this year as Patrick Vieira continued to tinker with his back line.

Mena is the latest player to leave the club in an off-season filled with roster turnover. There are now 5 defenders left on the clubs roster following the loan announcement.

Mena’s $220k salary placed him in the top earners on the club, behind both Federic Brillant and Maxime Chanot who had also pushed him down the depth chart.

NYCFC has yet to comment on the move.