It's official: Justin Haak will leave New York City FC to join LA Galaxy. He signed a one-year contract that will keep him in Los Angeles through 2026, with an option for June 2027.
The 24-year-old Brooklyn native was out of contract after the end of the 2025 season and was widely ranked as one of the top available free agents in Major League Soccer. The move to LA Galaxy was first reported by Tom Bogert in The Athletic on December 24, and was made all but official when Haak himself posted a goodby to New York City on Instagram on December 27.
New York City fans have voiced frustration that the club didn't re-sign Haak earlier, but Hudson River Blue was informed that New York City's contract negotiations with the player continued on throughout the year. The two sides couldn't reach an agreement despite the club offering a salary that HRB was told would have exceeded what he will be paid in Los Angeles. Incoming sporting director Todd Dunivant offered to fly to New York City to meet with Haak personally, but the player instead chose to pursue a new opportunity with the Galaxy.
Matthew Mangam
Oliver Strand
Haak had a breakout 2025 season, starting in all 43 of the team's competitive matches while becoming one of the most imposing central defenders in the league. He made 111 appearances across all competitions for New York City FC during his seven seasons under contract with the club, but 2025 saw him play his most minutes, score a goal, add four assists, all while anchoring a defense that conceded just 44 goals, seventh-fewest in the league.
Haak first joined the New York City First Team in 2019 as the club's third Homegrown signing, though he was also a member of NYCFC's first-ever Academy squad, the U14s, which assembled in 2015 during the club's inaugural season. He went on to make his First Team debut in 2019, same year he signed his Homegrown deal, at the age of 17 under then-head coach Domé Torrent, but he fell to the margins after Ronny Deila took over the team in 2020.
Haak didn't see any playing time in MLS during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, returning to the squad in 2022 under Nick Cushing. Haak made limited appearances during the 2023 and early in the 2024 seasons before becoming a write-his-name-in-Sharpie starter in the final days of Nick Cushing's coaching tenure, then under Pascal Jansen in 2025.
Haak made the left-side center-back position his, despite coming up as a midfielder. The right-footed Haak climbed above the left-footed Birk Risa on the depth chart, sending a player reportedly signed for more than $1 million in 2023 to the bench.
You'll find New York City's official statement below:
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
New York City FC today announced that Midfielder Justin Haak has departed the Club to continue his professional career with the LA Galaxy.
A Brooklyn native, Haak joined New York City FC’s Academy at the U14 level and signed his first professional contract with the ‘Boys in Blue’ in 2019, becoming one of the first Homegrown players in Club history. The Midfielder went on to represent New York City FC across multiple seasons, progressing from the Academy to the First Team.
With the ‘Boys in Blue,’ Haak made 111 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and tallying five assists while providing consistent contributions in both the midfield and defense. Haak also featured for MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, New York City FC II, where the American scored two goals in eight matches.
Haak’s pathway with New York City FC reflects the Club’s commitment to identifying and developing local talent, as well as the player development opportunities created through New York City’s Academy and Second Team. The pathway culminated in meaningful contributions at the First Team level that will remain an important part of the Club’s history.
The Midfielder was part of the squad that helped New York City FC capture its first MLS Cup in 2021 and featured in the Club’s Campeones Cup victory at Yankee Stadium in 2022. An original member of the first-ever Academy team at the U14 level in 2015, Haak progressed through the entire development pathway and helped New York City FC claim the Generation adidas Cup and the USDA Championship in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
New York City FC thanks Justin for his commitment to the Club and to the New York City community and wishes Justin continued success in the next chapter of his career.
You'll find the official statement from LA Galaxy below:
Monday, Dec 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Former New York City FC Homegrown joins LA on a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of the 2026 MLS season with a club option for June 2027
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 29, 2025) – The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has signed free-agent midfielder Justin Haak to a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of the 2026 MLS season with a club option for June 2027.
Haak, 24, joins the LA Galaxy after having made 81 appearances (57 starts) across MLS competition in seven seasons played with New York City FC (2019-25). During the 2025 MLS Regular Season, Haak appeared in 34 matches (34 starts) and recorded one goal and four assists, while also finding his first career playoff goal and the only goal in the club's playoff loss in Miami.
"We are very excited to welcome Justin to the LA Galaxy,” said Will Kuntz, General Manager, LA Galaxy. “Justin is a positionally versatile player who will be able to contribute in several roles. His growth from Homegrown academy signing to an every-game starter is a testament to his work ethic, his technical ability, and his defensive instincts. We look forward to Justin's contributions to the Galaxy as we continue to put together a competitive squad for the 2026 season."
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native signed a Homegrown contract with NYCFC in 2019 after developing in the club’s academy. During the 2019 campaign, Haak’s first as a professional, the midfielder appeared in three matches as a substitute. Haak then joined Hartford Athletic (USL Championship) on loan for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, making 16 appearances in 2021. After earning more senior gametime in 2022, the midfielder penned a new deal to start the 2023 season.
The 2023 MLS Regular Season saw Haak score his first MLS goal in 14 matches played (10 starts) for NYCFC. In 2024, the midfielder appeared in 15 matches (6 starts).
The Galaxy will open the 2025 MLS Regular Season at home on February 22 against NYCFC, a matchup that brings multiple threads of club history together. The contest will follow the transfer of NYCFC homegrown player Justin Haak to Los Angeles and marks a reunion with NYCFC Sporting Director and Galaxy legend Todd Dunivant, underscoring the deep ties and shared history between the two clubs on Opening Day.
Transaction: LA Galaxy sign midfielder Justin Haak to a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of the 2026 MLS season with a club option for June 2027 on Dec. 29, 2025.
Justin Haak
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Date Of Birth: September 12, 2001 (24)
Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY
Roster Category: Senior
Last Club: New York City FC
Citizenship: United States
