New York City FC signs Jesus Medina to fill Andrea Pirlo's DP slot

New York City FC has signed Paraguay international midfielder Jesus Medina from Club Libertad.

Medina comes in to take the designated player place available following the retirement of Andrea Pirlo, with the 20-year-old signing a four-year contract.

The signing was the first to be made anywhere in 2018 and NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira told the club's official websitehe believed the club had acquired "a special talent."

He added: "Jesus has got talent, he's got pace, he's a really good dribbler, and he's somebody who can assist and score goals as well.

"For a player of such a young age, he has a really strong character and I think he will be a great addition."

Medina won the Paraguayan championship five times with Libertad, making his debut for the club at the age of 15.

He made his senior Paraguay debut as a late substitute in a friendly against Mexico in July, after starring for his country's under-17 and under-20 teams.

He said: "It's a privilege to be here. My first thought when I heard of the interest was that it was a great club, an important club in the United States.

"It's a great feeling. It's also such a special feeling to have a World Cup winner with France as a head coach.

"I think training with such an experienced professional, at my young age, will help me as a player and will hopefully be a great experience for me. He will teach me a lot."

Medina will join David Villa and Maximiliano Moralez as NYCFC's designated players. The club has already moved this offseason to sign a pair of right-backs in Saad Abdul-Salaam and Anton Tinnerholm, as well as goalkeeper Brad Stuver.