MLS

Defensive depth bolstered by Bailey acquisition

Bailey

FC Cincinnati have signed former FC Helsingør defender Zico Bailey. The Orange and Blue acquired the defender’s Homegrown rights from the LA Galaxy in exchange for FC Cincinnati’s natural 2020 fourth-round MLS SuperDraft selection (No. 81 overall). Additionally, should Bailey meet certain performance incentives, FC Cincinnati could send an additional $50,000 in General Allocation Money.


Bailey, 19, will be classified as a Homegrown Player and will be added to FC Cincinnati’s 2020 MLS roster when the Primary Transfer Window opens on Feb. 12 upon the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.


“We look forward to adding Zico in the preseason to see where he is in his development,” General Manager Gerard Nijkamp said. “As a young talent, we believe he will benefit from the opportunity to continue developing alongside our senior roster players.”


The defender joined the LA Galaxy Academy in 2013, where he played through 2018. Bailey made a total of five appearances with the USL Championship’s LA Galaxy II in 2017.


In 2018, Bailey began his collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton. With the Titans, Bailey made 21 appearances, including 17 starts, scoring one goal and adding two assists. At the conclusion of the season, Bailey was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team


Following his freshman season, Bailey signed for Swedish top-tier side Kalmar FF in April 2019. Months later, he joined Danish second-division club FC Helsingør, where he played for the remainder of the 2019 season.


FC Cincinnati will return to the field in early 2020 for their second MLS season. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2020 season are now on sale to the general public at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK). A 2020 Season Ticket Membership also secures fans’ place on the club’s priority list, which will be utilized when sales begin in the new West End Stadium for the 2021 season. 


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.


Transaction: FC Cincinnati acquired the Homegrown rights to defender Zico Bailey from the LA Galaxy in exchange for FC Cincinnati’s natural 2020 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round selection (No. 81) on Dec. 12, 2019.


ZICO BAILEY

Pronunciation: ZEE-ko


Position: Defender


Height: 5-7


Weight: 135


Birthdate: August 27, 2000


Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nev.


Hometown: Henderson, Nev.


Last Club: FC Helsingør (DEN)


Nationality: United States


MLS Roster Status: Homegrown


Twitter: @ZikoBailey1


How Acquired: Via trade from the LA Galaxy in exchange for FC Cincinnati’s natural 2020 MLS SuperDraft fourth-round selection (No. 81) on Dec. 12, 2019.