by DAVE MARTINEZ

Following several reports out of Argentina, we are now hearing it from the horse’s mouth: Federico Bravo is leaving Boca Juniors to join New York City FC on loan.

The Boca midfielder spoke to Mas Radio on Friday, giving a candid interview on his pending move to MLS and NYCFC.

“I’ve had offers but the one that has interested me the most is New York City,” Bravo said. “It can be a great experience. It is a country on the global level that is very advanced, to be in New York, to learn the language, to play with three or four very important players, to learn from them as well … I feel I can go there and get the starting minutes I am not getting here so I think it can be positive.”

Prefacing that he is “still a Boca Juniors player,” Bravo says he expects his one-year loan to be made official by the end of next week, pending the status of his visa and some small loan details between both clubs. Once approved, he says he will join NYCFC in Florida for the second half of the preseason training stint.

“I am excited,” he said. “It is a positive experience for my career. I am looking for more playing time. In Boca, I haven’t been able to do that and it’s difficult. That’s why this team has shown a lot of interest in me. The United States, it is growing a lot with the big name players of the team I am joining.”

But it isn’t just starting minutes that draw Bravo into the NYCFC fold: it is the quality of the roster. “The thing that got my attention was the players,” he explained. “Pirlo, Villa, Lampard, they were even speaking to Iker Casillas. That sincerely got my attention and shows this is a club that is growing and fighting to win. That’s why I am going there.”

And while playing time is central to his move Stateside, Bravo also hopes to earn the experience necessary to return to Boca and earn his place in their starting corps.

“I am trying to take it all the best I can, take as much of football as I can,” he said. “And then come back to fight for my spot.”