New York City FC are delighted to announce that Ben Sweat has signed a new contract with the Club.

The Floridian defender will return for a second season with NYCFC after he joined as a free agent in February 2017.

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Sweat told NYCFC.com: “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in this league. New York took me in as a trialist last year and put a lot of trust and faith in me and I’m glad I could produce enough for them to keep me around for another couple of years.

“We just started preseason, so I just have to continue to better myself and my performances from last year, to keep giving my all and to give back everything that’s been given to me.

“I’m super excited to be part of this club and to be back in the Bronx playing at Yankee Stadium in 2018.”

Sweat is currently preparing for 2018 with the squad in Jacksonville which marks a return to his home state where he earned his first City contract following a successful trial in 2017.

Signing as a free agent in 2017, Sweat went on to make 26 Regular Season appearances in his first season, racking up six assists and scoring his first goal in the 2-0 Hudson River Derby win at Red Bull Arena in July.

That header was voted fans’ Goal of the Season in November, earning 60% of the public votes, providing Ben with a fittingly positive note to end his first season at NYCFC with.

Head Coach Patrick Vieira is delighted to have signed Sweat to a new deal and believes it’s a just reward for his stellar first season in New York.

Vieira said: “Ben showed last year that he can bring a lot to the football club. I think he was one of the important players of last year. When someone does well, they deserve to be rewarded and that was the case with Ben.

“He’s a real professional, he loves the game and he felt really good inside the team. There’s a humility about him that I really like and everything was perfect for us to offer him the new contract.

“We’re really glad he accepted because it’s great to have him at the football club, not only as a player, but as a person as well.”

Sporting Director Claudio Reyna echoed Vieira’s sentiments, describing the defender as someone who always wants to improve.

“Ben is well-liked by everyone at the club and deserves this new deal for his performances last year,” Reyna said.

“He came in on trial last year and impressed the coaches who were quickly confident that he would be able to contribute to the team and he proved it.

“We all believe Ben has another level and he has the right mentality needed to improve and get better in many aspects. We’re really looking forward to having him with us for the next few years.”

Everyone at New York City FC would like to congratulate Ben on his new contract.

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