FC Cincinnati has signed defender Tyrell Malacia to a contract extending through June 2027, with an option for the 2027-28 Major League Soccer season. The announcement was made on September 18, 2026. Malacia, 27, recently played for Manchester United in the English Premier League and has over 250 appearances in European club competitions.
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In a related transaction, FC Cincinnati acquired an international roster slot from St. Louis CITY SC for $200,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM).
General Manager Chris Albright expressed enthusiasm about adding Malacia, noting his high-level experience and understanding of competitive demands. Albright mentioned, “His quality on the ball, defensive instincts, and team-first mentality is a welcome addition to the group.”
Malacia, who hails from Rotterdam, Netherlands, made his professional debut at 18 with Feyenoord in UEFA Champions League action, contributing to a 2-1 victory over Napoli. He racked up 137 first-team appearances for Feyenoord before moving to Manchester United in July 2022.
The defender has earned nine caps for the Dutch National Team since making his debut on September 4, 2021. He was part of the Netherlands roster at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals. Malacia also represented the Netherlands at various youth levels, totaling 34 appearances in U17 and U21 European Championships.
During his time with Manchester United, Malacia made 39 appearances in his first season (2022-23) and a total of 50 appearances for the historic club. He spent part of the 2024-25 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, where he featured in three UEFA Champions League matches.
Malacia brings 43 first-division European Cup appearances to FC Cincinnati. His accolades include winning the 2022-23 EFL Cup with Manchester United, as well as the 2017-18 Dutch Cup and the 2019 Dutch Super Cup with Feyenoord. Additionally, he secured the Eredivisie title with PSV in the 2024-25 season.