FC Cincinnati sign free-agent midfielder Yamil Asad | OneFootball

FC Cincinnati have signed free-agent midfielder Yamil Asad through the 2024 season with an option for 2025.

The Orange and Blue will be Asad's third MLS club after previous stints with DC United and Atlanta United. The 29-year-old has recorded 21 goals and 26 assists in 122 MLS appearances since making his league debut with Atlanta in the Five Stripes' inaugural 2017 season.

After just one season spent on loan in Atlanta from Velez Sarsfield, Asad joined DC for the duration of the 2018 campaign. He then returned to Sarsfield where he made just one appearance from January to June of 2019 before the Black and Red signed him on a permanent deal from September 2019 to November of 2021.

Asad then departed Audi Field on a free transfer to sign for Chilean outfit Universidad Catolica. After just one goal in 14 appearances, he returned to DC for a third stint for the 2023 MLS season. The player managed 15 goals and eight assists during his time in the US capital while posting seven goals and 11 assists while playing for Atlanta.

"Yamil brings a great amount of experience and quality to FC Cincinnati. He's a creative and versatile player who will be a good fit with our group and I'd like to welcome him to the club," Cincinnati general manager Chris Albright said in a release.

Asad will more than likely be brought off the bench in most games, but he'll be a solid option to impact games late on for Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. While Asad typically plays as attacking midfielder like reigning league MVP and fellow teammate Lucho Acosta, he's also capable of playing out wide as a winger and up front and center as a striker.

Cincinnati, who are atop the Eastern Conference table with 11 points from five games played, are set to take on Charlotte FC on the road at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night.