Earlier this morning, New York City FC announced signing midfielder Cooper Flax to a Homegrown contract. The 21-year-old, who joins from Wake Forest University, becomes the 18th Homegrown in club history, and the first in the Todd Dunivant Era, which officially begins on January 1
Journalist Paul Harvey broke the news of the rumored signing on Saturday, December 20.
Flax is signed through 2026, with options through June 2027, and the 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons. The Long Island native was in the New York City Academy before attending Wake Forest, where he was named Most Valuable Player for the 2025 season.
This announcement comes on the heels of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft last Thursday, which saw New York City select four collegiate players. NYCFC drafted Ransford Gyan of Clemson University (#27 overall), Kevin Pierre of Georgia Southern University (#57 overall), Joey Mueller of the University of Central Florida (#71 overall), and Luca Nikolai of the University of North Carolina (#87 overall). You can find a scouting report on the four players here.
New York City FC | Homegrown Signings
| Name | Pos | Signed | Debut | Age | First Team Debut Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Cooper Flax | M | 2026 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Syemour Reid | F | 2025 | 2025 | 17 | MD 5: Columbus 0–0 New York City |
| 16 | Prince Amponsah* | D | 2025 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Jacob Arroyave | M | 2025 | — | — | — |
| 14 | Alex Rando* | GK | 2024 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Zidane Yañez | F | 2023 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Drew Baiera | D | 2023 | 2025 | 18 | USOC R32: Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1 - 0 New York City |
| 11 | Jonny Shore | M | 2023 | 2025 | 17 | MD 1: Inter Miami 2-2 New York City |
| 10 | Máximo Carrizo | M | 2022 | 2025 | 17 | MD 5: Columbus 0–0 New York City |
| 9 | Jonathan "JJ" Jiménez* | F | 2022 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Samuel Owusu* | D | 2022 | 2022 | 21 | MD 29: New England 3-0 New York City |
| 7 | Nico Benalcazar* | D | 2022 | 2023 | 22 | MD 21: CF Montréal 0-1 New York City |
| 6 | Christian McFarlane* | D | 2021 | 2024 | 17 | MD 36: New York City 2-2 Chicago |
| 5 | Andres Jasson* | M | 2020 | 2021 | 19 | MD 1: DC United 2-1 New York City |
| 4 | Tayvon Gray | D | 2019 | 2021 | 18 | MD 2: New York City 5-0 FC Cincinnati |
| 3 | Justin Haak* | M | 2019 | 2019 | 17 | MD 14: New York City 5-2 FC Cincinnati |
| 2 | Joe Scally* | D | 2018 | 2020 | 17 | MD 9: New England 0-2 New York City |
| 1 | James Sands* | M | 2017 | 2017 | 17 | MD 29: Colorado Rapids 1-1 New York City |
* Not currently with club
Flax wasn't among the 436 players listed as eligible for the 2026 SuperDraft, tipping the fact that he'd sign with the club as a Homegrown player.
It follows a familiar pattern: Last year, New York City signed defender Prince Amponsah, also from Wake Forest, to a Homegrown contract immediately after he sat out the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Amponsah was released at the end of the 2025 season, becoming just the third Homegrown to leave the club without seeing playing time with the first team.
You'll find New York City's full statement regarding Cooper below.
Raf Noboa y Rivera
New York City FC Signs Midfielder Cooper Flax to a Homegrown Contract
NEW YORK – December 22, 2025 – New York City FC announced today that Midfielder Cooper Flax has signed a First Team contract as a Homegrown through 2026 with Club options through June 2027, and the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 seasons.
Flax becomes the 18th Homegrown Player in New York City FC history and returns to the Club following a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. The Midfielder made 75 appearances, scoring 21 goals and tallying 18 assists. Flax’s 21 career goals tie for 18th on Wake Forest's all-time scoring list.
During Flax’s time with the Demon Deacons, the Long Island native earned All-ACC First Team honors in his senior year, marking the second All-ACC selection of his career after being named to the Second Team in 2024. Flax became Wake Forest's 16th player to earn First Team honors. In addition, Flax’s standout performance in 2025 earned the Midfielder the title of Wake Forest’s Most Valuable Player after leading the team with nine goals and seven assists across 17 starts. The Long Island native’s 2025 season concluded with Flax ranking top 10 in the ACC in the three major offensive categories, finishing second in total points, third in goals and sixth in assists.
“It’s awesome to sign with New York City FC,” said Midfielder Cooper Flax. “I grew up here and it really feels like home. There’s something special about walking back in and seeing all the trophies and accomplishments displayed on the walls. This is such a great Club with great people, and it was always a dream of mine to play for my hometown club. Being part of the Academy, knowing the guys coming up and training with the First Team, made the transition really easy and prepared me well. I’m grateful to be back.”
Before joining Wake Forest, Flax spent four seasons as a captain at New York City FC’s Academy. Flax also took part in preseason with the First Team in 2020 and 2021.
“This is another dream come true in my journey as a professional soccer player, especially having the opportunity to do it in my hometown. I can’t wait to step on the field, give everything for this badge, and play in front of the City’s amazing fans,” said Midfielder Cooper Flax. “Bringing another trophy back to New York City would mean everything to me. I’m here to do whatever I can to make that happen; be a good teammate, help on-on-off the field, make a tackle, make a run, score or provide an assist - whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Transaction: New York City FC signs Midfielder Cooper Flax to a First Team contract as a Homegrown through 2026 with Club options through June 2027, and the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 seasons.
Name: Cooper Flax
Date of Birth: January 21, 2004
Hometown: Dix Hills, NY
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’
Weight: 157lb
Age: 21
Last Club: Wake Forest University
