New York City FC are pleased to announce that 2019 MLS SuperDraft first round selection Luis Barraza has signed his first professional contract with the Club.

The goalkeeper, who was taken 12th overall, becomes NYCFC’s sixth offseason acquisition, following the arrivals of Tony Rocha, Keaton Parks, Ebenezer Ofori, Justin Haak and Juan Pablo Torres.

“It’s one of the happiest moments of my life without a doubt,” Barraza said after signing his contract. “I’m thankful for everyone that’s helped me get to where I am today. Most importantly my family who has supported and believed in me since day one.

“It’s a dream come true. I’m honored and proud to and proud to wear the NYCFC badge.”

NYCFC traded $75,000 of General Allocation Money and the 19th overall pick to LA Galaxy for the 12th overall pick to secure Barraza’s rights at the SuperDraft in Chicago earlier this month.

NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said: “Luis is a very good goalkeeper with a bright future. He’s someone who we really like and adds more depth to the goalkeeper position. We think it’s really valuable in MLS to have a very solid corps of goalkeepers pushing each other.

We’re just happy to give Luis an opportunity to realize his dream and to now be an important part of his life as a Club. We want to look after him, push him and develop him to make his career take the right steps forward.”

Luis recently graduated after four years at Marquette University where he claimed the Big East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2018 and was also named to the First Team All-Big East Conference.

Barraza joins a talented goalkeeper group that includes Sean Johnson, Brad Stuver and Jeff Caldwell.

“The reason we have four American keepers is because all of them have different qualities,” NYCFC head coach Doménec Torrent said. “We like to play with a build-up and Luis has a quality that is very important to us because he’s comfortable when he has the ball on the ground.”

Earlier in his youth career, Barraza was part of the academy setup at Real Salt Lake-Arizona where he won the U-15/U-16 USSDA Championships in 2013, also finishing as a runner-up in 2015.

Proficient with his distribution and a strong shot-stopper, Luis continues his development in a strong NYCFC goalkeeper pool alongside Sean Johnson, Brad Stuver and Jeff Caldwell, starting in Abu Dhabi on the first leg of NYCFC’s preseason 2019, commencing January 29.

Everyone at NYCFC would like to congratulate Luis on his first pro deal and look forward to seeing him develop at the Club.

Name: Luis Barraza

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 195 lbs

Date of Birth: 11/08/1996

Age: 22

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Birthplace: Las Cruces, NM

Citizenship: United States

How Acquired: Drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft (pick acquired from LA Galaxy for 19th pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and $75,000 General Allocation Money)