New York City FC defender Justin Haak has departed the club in free agency, joining LA Galaxy on a one-year deal with an option for more. Haak spent the last decade with the club, growing through the youth system before becoming and important part of the club in their last two seasons under head coach Nick Cushing and Pascal Jansen.
“Justin is a positionally versatile player who will be able to contribute in several roles,” said Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. “His growth from homegrown academy signing to an every-game starter is a testament to his work ethic, his technical ability and his defensive instincts.”
Haak signed with NYCFC as a homegrown player in 2019 but spent much of the 2020 and 2021 season with the USL Championship affiliate Hartford Athletic. While there he made 16 appearances before coming into the first time in 2022 where he made enough of mark to sign a new deal with the club.
From there he spent 2023 and 2024 proving himself as a potential first-team starter to the point where 2025 was his most effective season. He made 34 appearances in the midfield and defense, playing over 3000 minutes and scoring one goal while also bagging four assists.
His departure does leave a hole for the club as Haak’s versatility was a helpful tool for Jansen to manage the club’s nagging injuries. City hopes that newly signed homegrown players can eventually fill those roles but how that will work for 2026 remains to be seen.
photo by Jordan Bank