New York City FC are delighted to announce the signing of Maximiliano Moralez.

Subject to receipt of his P1 Visa and ITC, Maxi becomes the team’s third Designated Player following his transfer from Club Leon in Mexico, signing a three-year contract.

Our newest recruit told NYCFC.com: “When I heard of the opportunity to go to NYCFC, I knew that it was a possibility that I couldn’t pass up.

“I know that the league is growing a lot and we have a lot of great players – I’m looking forward to playing with players like David Villa and Andrea Pirlo who are two world-class champions who have achieved a lot in their careers.

“Also, to have a quality coach like Patrick Vieira, who has been one of the best in his position, recognized worldwide, is something that will help me immensely. With the experiences he’s had in his career, it will be very important to help make this club great.”

Head Coach Patrick Vieira said: “We are really delighted to sign Maxi because he has a lot of experience at the highest level – he’s played in Italy with lots of game in Serie A and also most recently in Mexico – he’s a player who has a lot of talent and he’s going to be a really good addition to the team.

“He’s demonstrated his desire to come to the football club and to do well, so I’m really happy that he’s decided to join us.

“Maxi is dynamic, he’s direct and he’s very good in one v. one situations. He can create chances and can score goals. He’s a really creative player who can make an assist – he can create something from nothing and I believe that our fans will love him.”

Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said: “Maxi’s a creative player who will add what we needed in the final third of the field with his ability to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

“He’s extremely motivated and determined to do well and is excited for the challenge of playing for New York City FC.

“He is a versatile player who will be used behind the striker but can also play in wide areas in Patrick’s system.

“Maxi is an experienced player in the prime of his career and will be a positive influence for our younger players.”

Moralez began his career with 17-time Argentine Champions Racing after advancing through the youth ranks in Buenos Aires.

A diminutive, fleet-footed no.10 in the Argentine tradition, Moralez spent three seasons on the first-team roster before half a season at FC Moscow.

Racing opted to take him back on loan and he made a key contribution in 2007/08, scoring the decisive goal against Belgrano to steer his boyhood club away from relegation.

The following year, Maxi joined Velez Sarsfield where he enjoyed one of his greatest moments of his career, scoring the winning goal against Huracan on the final day to clinch the Argentine title.

He would go on to win a second title with Velez in 2011 and helped the team to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores, featuring in 11 of their 12 games, scoring five goals.

The Granadero Baigorria-born midfielder joined Italian Serie A outfit Atalanta in 2011 where he spent four years, appearing in 109 games, netting 16 times and assisting 17 more.

Newly-promoted upon Maxi’s arrival, during his time in Italy, Atalanta managed to consolidate their position in the league and racked up a club record points tally in his first season there.

Club Leon came calling for his services last year and he has featured on 25 occasions, helping them to an eighth-place finish in 2016.

At international level, Maxi was a teammate of Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria in Argentina’s U20 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, earning the Silver Ball and the Bronze Shoe awards thanks to his four goals, including one in the semifinal.

Moralez went on to win his first senior international cap with Argentina in a 4-1 friendly win over Venezuela in March 2011.

Help us to roll out the sky blue carpet for our new DP by tweeting @NYCFC with the #WelcomeMaxi hashtag.