August 15, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
In 2023, St. Louis CITY SC took MLS by storm, winning the MLS Western Conference in their inaugural season and surprising many with their form for the duration of the campaign. Nicholas “Niko” Gioacchini played a major role in that and as a reward earned himself a transfer to Italian side Como 1907. Once he arrived in Italy, the USMNT forward who was raised in Italy again helped his new club reach the highest of highs as he helped Como win promotion from Serie B to Italy’s highest league, Serie A, for the first time since 2003.
Now he returns to MLS and will look to augment another club looking to reach the highest of highs, as he joins FC Cincinnati on loan through the end of the season as a Designated Player, just hours before the closing of the secondary transfer window.
“We’re excited to welcome Niko to Cincinnati,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “He is an excellent teammate with high character who will provide a versatile presence on our front line. He knows how to compete in our league and is committed to helping us fight for trophies this season. We look forward to him joining our group.”
“I’m excited to return to Major League Soccer and join FC Cincinnati,” said Gioacchini. “I can’t wait to meet the fans and play at TQL Stadium for the first time, and I look forward to helping this team fight for its goals this season.”
Last MLS season with St. Louis CITY SC Gioacchini appeared in 32 matches (24 starts) and scored 10 times for MLS’ newest club. He was acquired by the Midwest club as the top selection in that year’s MLS expansion draft from Orlando City SC, but had played all over the world prior to his introduction to MLS in 2022 when he joined Orlando.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri to Italian and Jamaican parents, the now 24-year-old moved with his family to Parma, Italy when he was eight-years-old where his adoration for soccer took root. His family moved back to Maryland when he was 12, but with an already bright future ahead of him he moved back overseas to France when he was 15 to join the Paris FC academy.
“In Italy, I learned ‘the grinta,'” Gioacchini told Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last January of his childhood in Parma, read that story for more here. “Which means the energy, the love, the passion which boost the game. It’s hunger, so that’s what I learned the most. Coming back to the States I brought that with me. And I think that’s…
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