FC Cincinnati signs young talent, and fans are already speculating his impact | OneFootball

FC Cincinnati continues to build on their squad for the 2025 season with the announcement of center-back Gilberto Flores from Paraguayan club Libertad. The 21-year-old defender inked a deal through 2027, with options to extend through 2029, joining under MLS's U22 Initiative, a program designed to bring in young international talent.

Flores has competed in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, representing Paraguay at the U-20 and U-23 levels, including a run in the 2024 Olympic Games. Now, he begins his new chapter in the United States, where he'll have the chance to develop his game in an increasingly competitive league.

Young experience and a long-term contract

Despite his tender years, Flores has already gathered quite some experience in South American soccer, having turned out 43 times for Libertad and Sportivo Trinidense, while scoring once and providing two assists. Participation in high-level tournaments and the international youth stage indicates just why Cincinnati saw him as a promising player with room for growth.

The long-term deal also speaks that the club sees Flores as one of its biggest pieces in its future. With his securing until 2027 with the opportunity to extend the deal further, Cincinnati has secured not just a young asset, but it is also hedged in case that player might turn out to get international interest somewhere down the road.

Position at FC Cincinnati

The Cincinnati defensive lineup already boasts established names like Miles Robinson and Matt Miazga, in addition to Nick Hagglund and Teenage Hadebe. With that competition, Flores is likely to begin his tenure fighting for minutes as a backup option.

But the fact that he's a U22 Initiative signing would indicate the club has a plan for development on him. MLS has become a good platform for young South American players to fine-tune their skills, and if Flores adjusts to the league's style of play, he could find a place in the rotation rather quickly.

The diversity probably allows him to be put in different sets by the coaches throughout the current season, considering both a conservative two-center-back setup and the three-man backline.

Reinforcement just in time for a busy schedule

FC Cincinnati will have a brutal start to the season, as in addition to its MLS 2025 opener on February 22 against the New York Red Bulls, the team will also compete in the Concacaf Champions Cup, taking on Honduran club FC Motagua on February 19.

With an international-laden fixture list right off the bat, roster depth is going to prove paramount. Enter Flores, of course, helping to fortify a defensive roster that could wear down amidst their first domestic- and-international-laden regular season.

What does your front office think?

General manager Chris Albright heaped praise on Flores' arrival, not just his mindset, but also his commitment to improve. Beyond the talent for the game, the young defender also brings qualities that will help him fit into the team's culture.

"We are happy to have added Gilberto into our team as one with immense talents, having instinctive features towards strong defending. Besides this, the competitive drives as well as an insatiable appetite for improving have propelled us towards winning the races; definitely a guy both in his personal capacity as a great sports person would increase value at F C Cincinnati."