MLS transfer roundup: NYCFC sign homegrown player, while Columbus Crew add Liga MX talent
- Marino Hinestroza joins Columbus Crew from Liga MX’s Pachuca
- Austin FC sign goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland
- 2024 MLS campaign kicks off on February 21 as Inter Miami host Real Salt Lake
As the 2024 Major League Soccer season fast approaches, teams continue to take advantage of the transfer market.
The Eastern Conference is heating up, with the Columbus Crew adding Liga MX talent while NYCFC secure their 13th ever homegrown signing. The news comes after Inter Miami announced yet another league-changing addition, with Luis Suarez joining the team of stars in South Florida.
With all the transfers, the 2024 campaign is bound to be action-packed.
1. Columbus Crew secures Marino Hinestroza
The Columbus Crew keeps the celebrations coming after winning the 2023 MLS Cup, this time signing Colombian midfielder Marino Hinestroza as a U22 Initiative player. He joined from Liga MX side Pachuca through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027.
“Marino performed at a high level for Pachuca this past year, and we are excited to help further advance this young player’s development within our club,” Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a release. “He is a talented individual who can fit various roles within our style of play, including adding a one-v-one threat to our attack.”
He is set to fill an international roster slot.
The signing comes as the Crew prepare to participate in several upcoming tournaments, including the MLS regular season, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup.
2. Austin FC sign goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland
Austin FC signed goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland through the 2025 MLS season, with an additional option for the 2026 campaign. He joins as a free-agent, after serving as a back up to Stefan Frei at Seattle Sounders FC from 2020 to 2023.
He kicked off his MLS career in 2017, being selected by Chicago Fire FC during the Super draft pick before making the rounds.
“We’re happy to add someone of Stefan’s caliber to the talented group of goalkeepers on our roster,” Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell said in a statement. “He’ll be a very strong addition to our club, and our community, and we look forward to welcoming him to Austin.”
He now joins the list of goalkeepers at Austin FC, standing alongside starter Brad Struver and Damian Las, the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year.
3. NYCFC bet on homegrown talent
New York City FC signed homegrown Zidane Yañez through the 2028 season, with an additional option for 2029.
He initially joined the team’s academy in 2021, working through the ranks before shining during the Under 17 tournament. Now, he becomes the NYCFC’s 13th homegrown signing in history.
"We are delighted that Zidane has become the latest player from our academy to sign a professional contract with the club," sporting director David Lee said in a release.
"... He has excellent all-round attributes as a forward with good technical ability and movement, excellent tactical understanding of the role combined with a first-class work rate out of possession which is critical in the modern game. Most of all, though, he has consistently shown that he is a clinical goal scorer at every age group."
Internationally, the player has seen time with Chile and Puerto Rico's Under 16 national teams before most recently being called into a US U16 training camp this year.