Mix Diskerud signs with Manchester City. Wait, what?
U.S. men’s national team regular-turned-outcast Mix Diskerud has signed with Manchester City.
And no, you didn’t read that sentence, nor the headline on this article, incorrectly.
But no, Diskerud won’t actually play for Manchester City.
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Diskerud, 27, whom the soccer world hasn’t heard from in a meaningful way in over a year, popped up in an incredibly confusing tweet from sportswear company Umbro on Saturday morning:
Delighted to report the news that @MixDiskerud will further be cementing his relationship with Umbro in our hometown, as he proudly continues his footballing development with a 4,5y Manchester City FC contract. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/JEYJdjoTPZ
— Umbro (@umbro) January 27, 2018
It turned out, curiously, that the news was real. Diskerud is, according to multiple reports, moving to City on a free transfer. But there’s more to it than that.
Diskerud was under contract with New York City FC – or, rather, with MLS. NYCFC said it had bought out his contract prior to last season. But due to MLS’ weird rules, Diskerud was still under contract with the league.
He had gone on loan to IFK Goteborg in Sweden last year, but had not found a new home since the loan expired. He was still on the books of Major League Soccer, despite that not being a particularly favorable arrangement for either player or club.
So, it appears, City Football Group – the company that owns and operates Manchester City and its network of clubs around the world, of which NYCFC is a part – has swooped in to help both MLS and Diskerud. The MLS contract has been terminated, and Diskerud has gone to Man City on a free. It’s shady business – as is a lot of what CFG and MLS do – but it makes sense.
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Diskerud won’t train with Man City’s first team. He’ll reportedly work with the reserves, or at least at the academy. CFG’s hope will be to loan him out, and, presumably, eventually sell him for profit.
We still have no idea why Umbro – which is not affiliated with Manchester City, but does have a partnership with Diskerud – announced the deal. Either way, at least we now have some clarity on why and how it is happening.
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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer, and occasionally other ball games, for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.
