New York City FC Poised to Sign Raul Gustavo from Ferencváros…
New York City FC appears ready to bolster its defense by signing 26‑year‑old Brazilian centre‑back Raul Gustavo from Hungarian powerhouse Ferencváros, according to Hudson River Blue.
Deal Details
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The agreement reportedly involves a transfer fee of €1 million (approximately US $1.16 million), paid to Ferencváros.
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This sum represents five times the €200,000 Ferencváros paid to acquire Gustavo in July 2024, as noted by Transfermarkt .
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Valued at €1.5 million by the market, Gustavo would reunite with coach Pascal Jansen, who previously managed him in the UEFA Europa League at Ferencváros.
Player Profile
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Left-footed, standing 6′3″, Gustavo brings both physical presence and versatility to the back line.
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In the 2024–25 season, he accumulated 11 league starts, scoring 2 goals and playing 954 minutes, in addition to making five full‑game appearances in the Europa League, including clashes with Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Timing & Confirmation
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NYCFC cannot officially register Gustavo until the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 24.
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Although no official announcement has been made, Gustavo recently followed NYCFC on Instagram, a common precursor to finalizing deals.
Fans Weigh In
On Reddit’s r/NYCFC, supporters are responding to the report:
“Raul Gustavo now follows the team on instagram, and per his stories he is in fact not with Ferencvaros at their summer training…”.
Fans see this move as strategic depth addition, especially following the departure of Birk Risa, who exited NYCFC on July 14.
Context in NYCFC’s Summer Timeline
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Gustavo’s prospective arrival follows NYCFC’s Nicolás Fernández signing on July 11 as their latest Designated Player.
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The move also addresses defensive restructuring after Risa’s departure.
Outlook
What to watch for:
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NYCFC fans should expect an official announcement after July 24, once the window opens.
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Gustavo will increase competition at centre-back and may compete with current starters such as Matt Hedges and Anton Tinnerholm.
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With his height, European experience, and left-footed dynamic, Gustavo could become a key piece in NYCFC’s back line.
