New York City FC have announced the departure of Algerian forward Mounsef Bakrar after spending two seasons with the club according to the team. The player will be joining Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb ahead of the start of the European season.
Bakrar’s arrival 2023 was a supporting striker for the likes of Talles Magno as he made his transition into a striker role. Unfortunately, injuries and the eventual departure of the Brazilian player meant that Bakrar took a more important role in 2024 under head coach Nick Cushing. While he did get his opportunity, making 14 starts last season, he was only able to grab four regular season goals and one assist. This season he has appeared 21 times with five starts but only able to grab two goals.
“Mounsef brought great energy and a strong work ethic every day,” said Sporting Director David Lee. “His commitment to the team was evident from the moment he arrived. We believe that a transfer back to Europe at this time is the best for all parties and we wish Mounsef all the best in the next stage of his career.”
The move marks another chapter in City’s difficulties in replacing Valentin Castellanos, the 26 year-old Argentinian who lit up MLS in 2021 when the club won their first MLS Cup, and in 2022 where he scored 13 league goals. Since then the club has tried a rotating cast until settling on the conversion of Alonso Martinez from a winger into a striker.
Bakrar was given many chances under Nick Cushing and Pascal Jansen to deliver on his potential but could not find a way to break through on the score sheet. The move leaves City with few options in the nine position as they continue to push through in Leagues Cup and MLS in search of a playoff berth.
photo from NYCFC