CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati has acquired midfielder Caleb Stanko via transfer from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. Stanko, 25, joins FC Cincinnati after eight professional seasons with SC Freiburg (2011-19) and FC Vaduz (2016-17), and a decorated history within various age groups of the U.S. National Team pool.
A native of Holly, Mich., Stanko will occupy a domestic roster spot on FC Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster.
“We are happy to add Caleb to our roster,” FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch said. “We look for versatility in our central midfielders and we feel he can fill a number of roles depending on the personnel we have on the pitch. We look forward to Caleb competing immediately within our group.”
The midfielder has made a combined 141 appearances, scored three goals and added 10 assists for SC Freiburg, SC Freiburg II and FC Vaduz. In the current 2018-19 season, Stanko made one appearance for SC Freiburg II in a Regionalliga Südwest match against Eintracht Stadtallendorf.
He has one cap for the United States Men’s National Team. He made his international debut in a World Cup Qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 7, 2016. He previously served as captain for the U.S. U-20 MNT during the 2013 Concacaf U-20 Championship in Mexico and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
Stanko’s professional career began with SC Freiburg in 2011 after playing his youth career with U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Vardar SC. He has primarily played with SC Freiburg’s reserve sides with a combined 100 of his 141 appearances coming with SC Freiburg II and the SC Freiburg U-19s.
Stanko made his SC Freiburg first team debut in a German Cup match at HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst on Aug. 9, 2015. The midfielder made his first ever Bundesliga appearance when he started and played 90 minutes at center back against Schalke on Nov. 4, 2017. Overall, he made six Bundesliga appearances with SC Freiburg.
The next time Cincinnati takes the field, it will be as MLS’ 24th team in 2019 when the club debuts in the top professional league in the U.S. and Canada.
FC Cincinnati’s debut MLS game will be at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 2, at CenturyLink Field. The Orange and Blue will make its home debut as an MLS team at Nippert Stadium on Sunday, March 17, when the team hosts MLS Cup finalist Portland Timbers at 5 p.m. Season Ticket Member presales for single-game, group and mini plans are currently underway and those options will be available to the general public starting Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK).
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For more information about FC Cincinnati tickets - including 2019 season tickets - call 513-977-KICK (5425) or visit fccincinnati.com/tickets.
Transaction: FC Cincinnati acquired M Caleb Stanko on a transfer from SC Freiburg on Jan. 23
#33 CALEB STANKO
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 179
Birthdate: July 26, 1993
Birthplace: Holly, Mich.
Hometown: Holly, Mich.
Last Club: SC Freiburg (GER)
Nationality: United States
MLS Roster Status: Domestic Player
How Acquired: Via transfer from SC Freiburg on Jan. 23, 2018
