New York City FC has announced the signing of Bénie Traoré from Swiss side FC Basel 1893 and the 23-year-old becomes the club’s newest Designated Player. The 23-year-old Ivorian attacker has put pen to paper on a multi-year deal until the end of the 2029/2030 season with an option for a further year in 2030/31. In his time at Basel he scored 25 goals and assisted 15 in 80 games all competitions. NYCFC will want him to supply direct running, creativity, pressing and a goal threat.
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Bénie Traoré arrives at NYCFC following a successful stint with one of the biggest clubs in Switzerland, FC Basel. The signing adds a young forward with European experience and international potential to NYCFC. Between 2024 and 2026, Traoré was a key player for Basel, regularly scoring and assisting in domestic and European games. He can play anywhere across the front line and gives NYCFC options in attack. He can play winger or wide or centre forward depending on how the club wants to play. That’s good news for NYCFC fans as it’s an investment in a player entering his prime years.
What is DP Status
The Designated Player tag matters because it signals Traoré’s importance to NYCFC’s plans. DP (Designated Player) slots are for high-profile Major League Soccer players who are paid or transferred for amounts greater than and beyond normal roster limits. NYCFC is gambling on Traore, using a DP slot to signal they believe he can be a top attacker. That also creates high expectations for the coaches and the fans.
What Bénie Traoré Adds to NYCFC
Bénie Traoré brings pace, movement. pressing, and energy and goal threat to New York City FC, a quick forward who can find space behind the defence and create danger in transition. His Basel numbers tell us he can score and create, which is a big thing for an MLS side looking to find more attacking balance. He has a good footballing background from his experiences in Sweden, England, France and Switzerland.
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Bénie Traoré’s signing is a big transfer for NYCFC’s latest Designated Player. He adds pace, versatility and goalscoring ability to the New York City FC attack, along with European experience. His long-term deal suggests NYCFC sees him as a central part of their future rather than a short-term signing. Fans will want to see how quickly he adjusts to MLS and how the team deploys him up front. If Traore gels well, he will be one of NYCFC’s most exciting attacking players.
Yashpal Singh brings readers closer to the action with coverage of sports news, game updates, athlete stories, team developments, and major moments from the field. From local matchups to broader sports headlines, his reporting focuses on the stories fans care about most.