Luciano Acosta signs contract extension with FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati's top brass can sleep well knowing they've locked up one of the best talents in Major League Soccer in Luciano Acosta for the long term, and maybe through the end of his career.
FC Cincinnati on Friday announced the 29-year-old Acosta was signed to a contract extension through 2026 with an option to retain him again for the 2027 season.
The deal will give Acosta, an MVP frontrunner this season and the all-time statistical leader in several important categories, further opportunities to strengthen his impact on the franchise, which this season is moving toward its first major trophy with Acosta as its captain.
Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed but FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright indicated Acosta received a raise that was competitive with other recent MVP candidates and honorees. Albright also thanked the club's ownership for their financial commitment.
"It was important to get this done in general," Albright said during a Friday news conference. "The timing, you know, hopefully it provides a little wind under 'Lucho's' sails and the team's as well. We have a lot of goals to achieve and I think everybody's hyper-focused on that. I think it's just generally important to (re-sign) one of the best players in the league.
"I think we got him a deal that's commensurate with his value and ability. A big thank you to ownership for committing those kinds of resources. Carl (Lindner III, controlling owner) continues to show and prove his commitment to wanting to win here in Cincinnati and paying Lucho lots of money for the next three or four years is certainly proving that. It's deserved. It's gets him sort of more commensurate with his performance and his peers."
Since joining FC Cincinnati ahead of the 2021 season under then-head coach Jaap Stam and then-technical director Gerard Nijkamp, Acosta has logged 31 goals and 40 assists − all-time club records in both categories − in 88 regular-season appearances (101 appearances across all competitions).
Acosta also tallied the first postseason goal in club history on Oct. 15 against New York Red Bulls.
Acosta was this season playing in the final guaranteed year of his contract, as well as facing playing the 2024 season on a team option, which likely would have been untenable for a variety of reasons.
More: 'This city is my family.' FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta takes out full-page Enquirer ad
The multi-day rollout of teases and hype toward Friday morning's announcement continued with Friday's news conference featuring Albright, head coach Pat Noonan and Acosta.
Acosta took out a full-page advertisement in Thursday's Cincinnati Enquirer print edition − an idea conceived and executed by Acosta and his agent at Prosports Management.
Acosta wrote in the message on the advertisement: "Querido Cincinnati: This city is my family. It is an honor to represent this badge, to fight for honor and glory, For the victories and the defeats, the good and the bad, for you and for me, we are all united. After all, why not go for it all?"
On Friday, Acosta said, "I age like a fine wine" when asked about potentially ending his career with FC Cincinnati.
Acosta fell off the pace for the Landon Donovan MVP Award last year and he still posted 10 goals and an MLS-best 19 assists. So far in 2023, Acosta has 14 goals − the second-most in the league − and 11 assists for first-place FC Cincinnati. He's widely viewed as the frontrunner for this year's MVP honors.
"I think if you look at the performances of 'Lucho' over the course of the season through 29 games, the moments in which he's stepped up and made plays for our group, to position us where we are, certainly warrants his name being at the top of the list for the MVP," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan told The Enquirer Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati, Luciano Acosta ink MLS contract extension
