MLS
San Diego FC announce signing of former Premier League defender
Beginning his career at Manchester United, Paddy McNair now joins the MLS expansion side.
San Diego FC have confirmed their fifth signing, experienced defender Paddy McNair from English side Middlesbrough. He will join the team in January 2025 ahead of the new MLS season.
The 29-year-old had spent six years at the Riverside Stadium, playing under former teammate Michael Carrick in recent seasons. McNair played alongside Carrick at Manchester United as a young player.
McNair joined Manchester United as a youth team player and broke through into the first team in 2014, playing a total of 27 first team games for the club. Since then McNair has become a regular starter in the Championship with Middlesbrough and will add real experience to the San Diego backline.
“Paddy is another addition to our Club that will be invaluable as we prepare for our inaugural season in MLS,” San Diego FC CSO Tyler Heaps explained. “His wealth of experience and leadership as the captain of Northern Ireland will be a tremendous asset to our roster and locker room.”
McNair said of the opportunity: “When I first heard of San Diego, I had this gut feeling of excitement to play outside of England and have a chance to play in MLS. It’s going to be very special to be a part of history. I look forward to bringing my experience to the team and building a team San Diego can be proud of.”
Full list of San Diego FC signings
The preparations in San Diego continue apace ahead of the new team’s MLS debut. McNair is the fifth signing to be confirmed, despite the fact that neither the head coach nor the general manager have been announced.
San Diego FC new players
- Duran Ferree - Goalkeeper
- Paddy McNair - Defender
- Jeppe Tverskov - Midfielder
- Marcus Ingvartsen - Forward
- Hirving Lozano - Forward (Designated Player)
Of those five early signings the biggest name, by some distance, is Mexican international Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano. The 28-year-old will arrive in January, ending an eight-year spell in Europe with Napoli and PSV Eindhoven. During his time there Lozano won championships in both Italy and the Netherlands.
“It’s an honor to join San Diego FC as the Club’s first Designated Player,” Lozano said when his signing was confirmed. “It’s exciting to be part of history as we build a club that will compete for championships in MLS. In every country I have played, I always strive to leave a mark, and making an impact in San Diego and MLS is very important to me.”
San Diego FC will be hoping that Lozano can replicate the impact made by his compatriot Carlos Vela at LAFC. Vela was the first Designated Player signing for the 2018 expansion team and he proved an instant hit, both on and off he field. Vela was named league MVP and Golden Boot winner in 2019, while also helping to engage the huge soccer-loving Latino population in California.