CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati will add another formidable piece to the roster with the signing of veteran midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma, announced the club today.
Ledesma, born in Argentina, played with New York Cosmos in 2017 and made 19 appearances, including 17 starts while scoring 10 goals and six assists in the regular season. Ledesma guided the Cosmos to a spot in The Championship after scoring a hat-trick and an assist against Puerto Rico FC and was voted an NASL Best XI following his efforts. The Cosmos would advance to The Championship Final, eventually falling to San Francisco Deltas.
“Emmanuel is a fantastic attacking player that has the ability to make something out of nothing. He has proven himself around the world and is coming off an excellent season with the Cosmos,” said Head Coach Alan Koch. “We know that he will make a big impact with our club and we are excited to introduce him to our fans. He has an infectious personality and we look forward to working with him here in Cincinnati.”
A member of the Genoa U19 team, Ledesma was a member of the first team roster in 2008. He was loaned to Queens Park Rangers and scored his first professional goal in 2008. Following the end of the loan term, his next two stops were in Italy’s Serie B with US Salernitana 1919 and Novara Calcio 1908. Ledesma had a breakout season in 2011, scoring four goals and an assist in 10 matches with English side Walsall FC. He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons with Middlesbrough FC in the English Championship, making 64 appearances and putting away nine goals to go along with six assists. He would add another nine goals and three assists with Middlesbrough FC’s U23 side during his tenure with the club. Following stays with Rotherham United (2015) and Brentford FC (2016), Ledesma went to Greece as a free agent and played for Panetolikos Agrinio.
Name: Emmanuel Ledesma
Pronunciation: le-DEZ-ma
Position: Forward
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170
Date of birth: May 24, 1988
Age: 29
Hometown: Quilmes
Country: Argentina
Last club: New York Cosmos
How acquired: Signed on Jan. 4, 2018
