New York City FC signed United Soccer League MVP Sean Okoli from FC Cincinnati on Monday.
Okoli, 23, was the USL's top scorer with 16 goals in 29 games and now returns to MLS after one year in the third-tier league.
"I'm really happy to welcome Sean to this club as he is a talented striker who we believe has an exciting future in the game," NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said in a statement.
"Having had the opportunity to speak to him, he also is the kind of person we want at this club and I'm sure he is going to work hard to build on the excellent 2016 he enjoyed at Cincinnati.
"To win the Golden Boot and to be named as MVP in USL at his age are great achievements and so I'm looking forward to working with him in preseason and throughout next year."
Okoli was part of the Seattle Sounders' academy before deciding to play college soccer for Wake Forest.
#NYCFC sign @USL MVP @AskAboutUgo #WelcomeToTheClub https://t.co/777rIuXhtd
- New York City FC (@NYCFC) December 5, 2016
He played in three league games for the Sounders in 2014 before they traded him to the New England Revolution, with whom he appeared in five games in 2015.
"The beautiful game can take you to some great places and I feel so blessed to be here," Okoli said in a statement. "I know the team plays attacking football and I love that, so I'm looking forward to being a part of it.
"It means a lot to play under Patrick Vieira -- he's been everywhere I want to be as a player and I know he has a lot of offer, so I'm excited to get working with as I just want to continue to grow.
"I know David Villa is a very special player who has scored big goals for big clubs so I just want to help continue this club's success and score goals with him and with the rest of the team."
