FC Málaga City continue their movement in the United States and will compete in USL League Two, starting from the 2021 season.
Joining USL League Two will offer a proven pathway into professional soccer for players, who will be competing at the highest level of summer football in the United States.
'Los Lobos' will be based in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York and will compete in the Northeast Division - they will be an affiliate of the FC Málaga City Academy in Spain.
FCMC will be going up against AC Connecticut, Black Rock FC, Boston Bolts, GPS Portland Phoenix, Seacoast United Phantoms and Western Mass Pioneers.
FC Málaga City Director, George Jermy, said: "It's massive for us as an academy and a club here, linking the New York academy and the Málaga set-up together even further.
"The USL2 is an incredible showcase for college players, players looking to go and play in college and out-of-season professionals.
"For us to get involved with such an organisation, on the senior side, but also with the USL launching an academy programme that is going to rival the now defunct DA Academy, to have a foothold in that, to be able to develop younger players prior to their time coming here to Spain is a massive step."
Talking about what statement this project means to FCMC, Jermy continued: "It's a huge statement and, more than anything, (it says) that we won't be stopped.
"In the year of the pandemic, globally everyone has had huge problems, for us to be able to pull together this kind of project and it would've been very easy to rain check it until 2022, but luckily we have fantastic support with Colin McComb and the guys out there at the New York academy.
"With all of us pulling together, it shows that we are united in numbers and what we can make happen. I am just delighted that we've been able to push forward and get finalised with the USL.
"It gives you prosperity and real hope that out of 2020 we've made such a fantastic opportunity for our players and I'm just hoping 2021 is a different year."
Jermy spoke about the recruitment of players and how the club will be holding open and closed trial days. The project is a hugely exciting one for everyone involved and those views are shared by FCMC New York Club and Academy Director, Colin McComb.
“League Two is an excellent fit for our organisation and we’re super excited about this opportunity. We have always aimed to provide direct pathways to professional play in Europe, and League Two will provide our players with additional domestic exposure.
“A mix of local athletes, collegiate players, academy players and FC Málaga City Spain players will form our League Two roster. The local community will experience a European-style program that benchmarks itself against international standards of excellence.”
Not only will this brand new project offer players to compete at a high level, but FCMC will be bringing their style of exciting football across stateside in the USL2 in 2021.
USL League Two Vice President, on the official USL2 website, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome FC Málaga City to the League Two family. We’re confident that the club will make a great addition to an already strong Northeast Division, and that competing in League Two will bolster its efforts to create a well-defined pathway for its players.”
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