FC Cincinnati and goalkeeper Roman Celentano have agreed on a long-term contract extension, the club announced today. Celentano, the club’s second-year goalkeeper who is FC Cincinnati’s all-time leader in saves (158) and clean sheets (15), inks a deal to remain with the Orange and Blue through the 2027 season.
“Roman is an extremely talented young goalkeeper who’s been a crucial part of our success the past two seasons,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “He’s a model teammate with a relentless work ethic and elite shot-stopping ability, and we look forward to his continued development under Paul Rogers and our goalkeeping group. We are delighted to keep Roman with the club for many years to come.”
Celentano, 22, was drafted by FC Cincinnati with the second overall pick as a Generation adidas player in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University. He was just the third goalkeeper ever drafted with a top-two pick, and the highest since three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and 10-year MLS veteran Andre Blake went No. 1 overall to the Philadelphia Union in 2014. Atlanta United and United States international Brad Guzan is the only other top-two selection (2005, Chivas USA).
Celentano has started all 55 MLS matches, including postseason, since his debut on April 24, 2022 against LAFC. Earlier this season, he became the club’s all-time leader in clean sheets, both in a single season and in a career, and career saves. In Celentano’s 56 games started across all competitions, the Orange and Blue hold a 29-9-18 record.
Celentano’s 10 clean sheets in 2023 are tied for second in MLS.
Celentano earned his first two call-ups with the United States Men’s National Team earlier this year, taking part in the USMNT January Training Camp and being named to the USMNT’s roster for the Continental Clásico against Mexico in April.
“It's a really great feeling to re-sign here, and it shows their faith in me,” Celentano said. “From the upper management of the club to the technical staff, to all the people I work with every day and then the teammates. It's unbelievable to come into work every day. It's an honor to wear the badge and to play at TQL Stadium. We're going to do some big things this year still but knowing that I can be in Cincinnati for the next four years, I’m filled with pride.”
In three seasons in Bloomington, Celentano owned a career 37-10-5 record while allowing just 33 goals in 52 matches. His 28 career shutouts rank tied for ninth in program history. He was a two-time All-American, and Celentano became the first-ever back-to-back Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year after earning the awards in 2020-21 and 2021. He was also a two-time Top Drawer Soccer Best XI first team and Big Ten All-Tournament team selection and earned the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament honor.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati sign Roman Celentano to a long-term contract extension on Sept. 1, 2023
