This is the kind of move that teams make in anticipation of a playoff run, folks.
On Saturday, New York City FC announced that it had acquired French-born Luxembourg international Maxime Chanot from KV Kortrijk of the Belgium Pro League.
A center back who can also cover on the right, Chanot is valued at €1.5 million ($1.65 million) on Transfermarkt.
In 2013, he was a teammate of NYCFC bruiser Frederic Brillant at Belgian side Beerschot AC. Patrick Vieira may not wait long before pairing these two big bodies together again.
Welcome to New York!
NAME: Maxime Chanot
D.O.B.: 21 January 1990
PLACE OF BIRTH: Nancy, France
HEIGHT / WEIGHT: 6'1" / 172 lbs.
INTERNATIONAL CAPS: 20 appearances for Luxembourg since 2013. Scored in a 2014 friendly vs. Italy.
As NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna told NYCFC.com on the occasion of the signing:
“We’re excited about Maxime’s leadership abilities and believe he’ll add more depth to our defensive unit. He has strong technical qualities, reads danger well, and is at the stage of his career where he can contribute to this team for many years to come.”
Added Chanot himself, also to NYCFC.com:
“I wanted to become a professional soccer player after France won the World Cup in 1998. I was so impressed and amazed by the French national team. I grew up in France, so playing for Patrick Vieira is going to be very special for me.”