by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Are New York City FC closing in on another defensive signing?

According to WFAN’s Glenn Crooks, Bulgarian center back Ivan Ivanov is has joined New York City FC on trial.

Ivan Ivanov, a 27yr old CB w/ 40 caps for Bulgaria, is trialist #NYCFC – current club, FC Basel in Swiss 1st Div @tlpretender @BrownBagSC — Glenn Crooks (@GlennCrooks) February 6, 2016

Ivanov, 27, was released by FC Basel last December having failed to make a first team appearance since January 2014 due to a knee injury. Football Italia previously reported that Premier League clubs Newcastle United and Swansea City and Serie A side Lazio were interested in the defender.

Ivanov is 6’1″ and has made 40 appearances for the Bulgarian National Team, scoring three times. In 2013, he became the first defender in 17 years to win Bulgarian Footballer of the Year. He also made the Serbian SuperLiga Best XI in 2012-13 while with Partizan Belgrade.

Should Ivanov impress while on trial, NYCFC would have to free up an international spot on its roster or acquire an additional spot in a trade to bring him on board. Currently, the team counts Jason Hernandez, Jefferson Mena, Ethan White and Fredric Brillant amongst their centerback corps.