CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has acquired midfielder Leonardo Bertone via a transfer from BSC Young Boys of the Swiss Super League using Targeted Allocation Money. Bertone, 24, joins FC Cincinnati after playing eight seasons as both a defensive and box-to-box midfielder with Young Boys.

A native of Switzerland, Bertone will occupy an international roster spot on Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster upon the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

“I’m really, really excited. From the first moment when I heard about this project, I had a good feeling and said ‘I want to do this,’” Bertone said. “For me, it was really important that I saw [FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch] in Switzerland, that’s a sign that he wanted me. It was the first time that a coach came to Switzerland for me.”

Bertone has made 179 career appearances, including 130 starts, scored 18 goals and added 11 assists across all competitions with Young Boys. In addition to his 131 Swiss Super League appearances, Bertone has also played in a combined 31 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches.

“We are excited to add Leo to our roster,” Koch said. “He’s a skillful player and we believe he is a great fit for our style of play. He comes from a culture of success with Young Boys and we believe he’ll be an important part of our foundation as we instill a winning mentality within our group.”

The central midfielder was part of the Young Boys side that captured the Swiss Super League championship for the 2017-18 season. During the course of the year, he made 22 appearances, including 15 starts, scored three goals and added two assists in Swiss Super League matches. In his most recent appearance across all competitions, Bertone played 10 minutes in Young Boys’ 2-1 victory over Juventus in a UEFA Champions League group stage match on Dec. 12.

Bertone’s professional career began in the 2011-12 Swiss Super League season. After making a combined 16 appearances in Swiss League play through his first three professional seasons, Bertone emerged as a regular contributor in 2014-15, when he made 25 league appearances, including 19 starts, and scored three goals. In addition, he also played in nine of Young Boys’ 10 UEFA Europa League matches. The midfielder had the best season of his professional career to date in 2015-16, when he made 30 appearances, with 25 starts, and posted career highs with five goals and three assists.

The next time Cincinnati takes the field, it will be as MLS’ 24th team in 2019 when the club debuts in the top professional league in the U.S. and Canada. Season tickets for the 2019 season are now on sale at fccincinnati.com/tickets.

For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For more information about FC Cincinnati tickets - including 2019 season tickets - call 513-977-KICK (5425) or visit fccincinnati.com/tickets.

Transaction: FC Cincinnati acquired M Leonardo Bertone on a transfer from BSC Young Boys using Targeted Allocation Money on Dec. 18

LEONARDO BERTONE

Pronunciation: lay-oh-NAR-doh bur-TOE-nay

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-10

Weight: 160

Birthdate: March 14, 1994

Birthplace: Wohlen bei Bern, Switzerland

Hometown: Wohlen bei Bern, Switzerland

Last Club: BSC Young Boys (SUI)

Nationality: Switzerland

MLS Roster Status: International Player

How Acquired: Acquired via transfer from BSC Young Boys on Dec. 18, 2018.