FC Cincinnati have acquired midfielder Luciano Acosta as a Designated Player via transfer from Liga MX side Atlas F.C. after acquiring his MLS priority from D.C. United in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money plus the potential for future GAM based on agreed upon incentives. FC Cincinnati have signed Acosta to a three-year contract with an additional option year.
Acosta, 26, a U.S. permanent resident will occupy a senior roster spot and will be added to FC Cincinnati’s 2021 MLS roster upon the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
“Lucho is a proven attacking midfielder in Major League Soccer and is a welcome addition to our team,” FC Cincinnati General Manager Gerard Nijkamp said. “He was a vital player for D.C. United in his four seasons in the league and we are confident a player of his talent profile is a strong complement to our current roster. We look forward to welcoming Lucho to Cincinnati as we continue building for the upcoming season and beyond.”
The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native has amassed 230 career appearances, including 164 starts, scoring 32 goals and adding 38 assists, across all competitions in eight professional seasons. In four seasons with D.C. United (2016-19), Acosta was among the top attacking midfielders in MLS, scoring 24 goals and adding 35 assists in 126 MLS regular-season appearances.
Acosta’s professional career began in 2014 when he made his first-team debut for Argentine club Boca Juniors at 19 years old. He went on to make 15 appearances, including six starts, scoring two goals in his debut campaign.
In his second season, he split time between Boca Juniors and fellow Primera División side Club Estudiantes de La Plata, joining the latter on loan in January for the remainder of the 2014-15 season. Acosta made a combined 45 appearances, including 16 starts, scoring four goals and adding seven assists across all competitions.
Following his first stint on loan, Acosta joined MLS side D.C. United on loan in February of 2016. The Argentine made an instant impact upon joining MLS, finishing tied for eighth among all MLS players with 11 assists in his debut season. Following the 2016 MLS season, D.C. United permanently acquired Acosta, where he would spend the next three seasons.
Buoyed by D.C.’s addition of forward Wayne Rooney, Acosta finished the 2018 season as an MLS Best XI selection, scoring 10 goals and adding 17 assists – second most among all MLS players – in 33 MLS regular season appearances. He was one of just 11 MLS players to have at least 10 goals and 10 assists, and one of three to have at least 10 goals and 15 assists in that campaign.
Following the 2019 MLS season, Acosta moved to a new league for the second time in his career when he joined Liga MX side Atlas F.C. Since January 2020, Acosta made 33 appearances, including 27 starts, scoring three goals and adding two assists across all competitions.
FC Cincinnati will return to the pitch for their third MLS season on Saturday, April 17, when the team opens the season on the road against Nashville SC. FCC will officially open their 2021 home slate on Sunday, May 16, when the team hosts Inter Miami CF in the inaugural match at West End Stadium in a nationally televised 4 p.m. game.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
Information about seating options at the club’s state-of-the-art West End Stadium – which will open in Spring 2021 – is now available at westendstadium.com. For more information about 2021 Season Ticket Memberships, which are now on sale to the general public, visit westendstadium.com or the stadium’s social properties on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @WestEndStadium, or by calling the team’s sales and service staff at 513-977-5425.
FC Cincinnati’s current roster, listed alphabetically by position, is below:
Goalkeepers (4): Cody Cropper, Ben Lundt, Beckham Sunderland, Przemysław Tytoń
Defenders (6): Saad Abdul-Salaam, Zico Bailey, Nick Hagglund, Ronald Matarrita, Tom Pettersson, Maikel van der Werff
Midfielders (11): Luciano Acosta, Frankie Amaya, Alvaro Barreal, Allan Cruz, Joseph-Claude-Gyau, Calvin Harris, Yuya Kubo, Haris Medunjanin, Ben Mines, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Caleb Stanko
Forwards (4): Franko Kovačević, Brenner, Jürgen Locadia, Brandon Vazquez
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati acquired midfielder Luciano Acosta as a Designated Player via transfer from Atlas F.C. after acquiring his MLS priority from D.C. United in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money on March 17, 2021.
#11 LUCIANO “LUCHO” ACOSTA
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-3
Weight: 130
Birthdate: May 31, 1994
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Last Club: Atlas F.C. (MEX)
Nationality: Argentina
MLS Roster Status: Designated Player, U.S. Permanent Resident
How Acquired: Via transfer from Atlas F.C. after acquiring his MLS priority from D.C. United in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money on March 17, 2021.
