With Fanendo Adi now waived and off the FC Cincinnati roster, the departure of the club’s first-ever Designated Player gives GM Gerard Nijkamp another DP slot he can fill.
There were statements last summer from both Adi and Nijkamp saying there was interest transferring the striker, but nothing materialized. With Friday’s announcement, the player is free to find another club, while Nijkamp can search for another striker.
This signals a fresh start for both parties.
Adi joined FCC in July 2018 as the first DP and someone who wanted to help lead the club into MLS. But when the Orange and Blue entered their new league, injuries, a legal matter and roster management decisions led to the striker only playing in 12 league matches last season.
When he did play, though, Adi showed signs of his quality with his strength and impressive finishing ability. After he scored his lone MLS goal in the 2-1 win at Chicago Fire FC, he said 2019 had been a season of “hell” for him. May 2020 have a better outcome.
As for Cincinnati, attention can now solely focus on the current forwards: Brandon Vazquez, Darren Mattocks and Rashawn Dally.
FCC have two open DP slots that can be filed either this window or the next. Both the No. 9 and No. 10 are available to players, this season, too.
