New York City FC Sporting Director David Lee has departed the club for fellow MLS club Sporting Kansas City. Lee, who was with the club since 2014 as the Director of Player Recruitment, has risen in the ranks over the year and been a key voice in the clubs return to playoff action in recent years.
“After joining NYCFC in 2014 as one of first employees and working in various roles for more than a decade, I have decided to accept a significant new challenge with Sporting Kansas City,” said Lee in a statement from the club. “This was an incredibly difficult decision to make but I believe, ultimately, this is the right time for me and my family.”
Lee has helmed the club to five playoff appearances including an MLS Cup victory in 2021. 14 of the 17 homegrown players with City were also signed under his watch, making him a key part in what the team has grown into in recent years. Eight of those players have featured in the first team, guiding the club from infancy into the full-fledged MLS club that they are in 2025.
“Since I joined NYCFC in 2019 I’ve had the privilege of working closely with David,” said City CEO Brad Sims. “He is a top-class professional and individual, I’ll always look back proudly on what the club has achieved during this period.:
NYCFC is preparing for their 2025 playoff appearance, following a dramatic win over New York Red Bulls and sweeping the season series for a second straight year. Lee will depart for a fellow MLS club but will always be a part of City, who grew and thrived under his work over the last decade.
photo from NYCFC