CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati added European experience to its back line Friday, signing Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia as a free agent.
Malacia, 27, signed a contract through June 2027 that includes an option for the 2027-28 MLS season. To make room for the Netherlands international, Cincinnati acquired a 2026 international roster slot from St. Louis CITY SC in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money.
A native of Rotterdam, Malacia developed through the academy of hometown club Feyenoord and made his first-team debut at 18 during a UEFA Champions League victory over Napoli. He went on to appear 137 times for Feyenoord before transferring to Manchester United in July 2022.
Malacia played 39 matches across all competitions during his first season in England and made 50 appearances overall for Manchester United. His time with the club was interrupted by a serious knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2023-24 season. He later returned to the Netherlands on loan with PSV Eindhoven during the 2024-25 campaign.
His résumé includes an EFL Cup championship with Manchester United, a Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup with Feyenoord and an Eredivisie title with PSV. Altogether, Malacia arrives in Cincinnati with more than 250 European club appearances and experience in 43 first-division European cup matches.
Internationally, Malacia has made nine appearances for the Netherlands since debuting for the senior national team in September 2021. He was part of the Dutch squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and most recently appeared for the Oranje during the 2023 UEFA Nations League finals.
The signing gives Cincinnati a proven left-sided defender with experience against some of Europe’s best competition. General manager Chris Albright highlighted Malacia’s comfort on the ball, defensive instincts and willingness to put the team first when announcing the move.
For Malacia, Cincinnati offers an opportunity to reestablish himself after injuries disrupted what had been a promising move to Manchester United. For the Orange and Blue, it is a relatively low-risk addition of a player who has already competed on stages considerably larger than most MLS newcomers encounter.
