CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati have signed defender Nick Hagglund to a contract extension through the 2024 season, the club announced today. Hagglund is FC Cincinnati’s all-time leader in appearances, games started and minutes played.
“We are proud to extend Nick and have him with us through 2024,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “His leadership within our group is invaluable, and his connection to our community and fans embodies the spirit of our organization.”
The Xavier University alum is just three appearances shy of becoming the first player in FC Cincinnati history to make 100 appearances across all competitions for the Orange and Blue. Through two games this season, Hagglund has played all 180 minutes, and he became the first player to surpass 7,000 career MLS minutes with the club in the season-opening win over Houston Dynamo FC.
Hagglund, who was named FC Cincinnati’s 2022 Defender of the Year, was an integral part of the Orange and Blue’s debut in the MLS Cup Playoffs last season. Hagglund set career-highs in MLS appearances (32) and minutes played (2,719), and he led the team in clearances (136), headed clearances (71) and interceptions (43).
He featured in all six shutout performances last season, and he was the only player to start all 13 league wins, including in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs at the New York Red Bulls.
“There is no place like home, whether it be the 513 or the 283, I’m incredibly proud to represent the city and continue to wear the FCC crest with pride,” said Hagglund. “I want to thank my family, the front office, the coaches, the team staff, my teammates, and the incredible fans for all their unwavering support and devotion to consistently push the needle forward for this club. I am looking forward to helping the club and community of Cincinnati continue to build something great.”
The product of Xavier and Lakota West High School is FC Cincinnati’s all-time leader across all competitions, and in MLS regular season play, in appearances, games started and minutes played. Below is a list of where Hagglund stacks up all-time in the club’s MLS history:
Appearances (Across All Competitions) | Appearances (MLS Regular Season) | Games Started (Across All Competitions) | Games Started (MLS Regular Season) | Minutes Played (Across All Competitions) | Minutes Played (MLS Regular SEason) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Nick Hagglund - 97 | 1. Nick Hagglund - 91 | 1. Nick Hagglund - 83 | 1. Nick Hagglund - 78 | 1. Nick Hagglund - 7,639 | 1. Nick Hagglund - 7,116 |
2. Brandon Vazquez - 89 | 2. Brandon Vazquez - 85 | 2. Luciano Acosta - 62 | 2. Luciano Acosta - 60 | 2. Luciano Acosta - 5,630 | 2. Luciano Acosta - 5,373 |
Hagglund’s role with FC Cincinnati extends beyond the field, where as part of his deal signed prior to last season, he serves as a club ambassador, furthering his and FCC’s work in the Cincinnati community and helping to connect the club with the city.
The MLS veteran is in his tenth season and arrived in his hometown ahead of the Orange and Blue’s inaugural season in 2019 from Toronto FC. From 2014-18 with TFC, he made 88 appearances and scored five goals for the Reds and was a part of the 2017 MLS Cup Championship squad. In total for his MLS career, Hagglund has made 191 league appearances, including 153 starts.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati sign Nick Hagglund to a contract extension through the 2024 season.
