DETROIT – Detroit City FC announced on Monday it had acquired attacking midfielder Jeciel Cedeño via transfer from fellow USL Championship club Oakland Roots SC for an undisclosed fee. Cedeño will be available for selection for Wednesday’s trip to Hartford Athletic.

Cedeño has made 80 appearances in the Championship since making his debut for the New York Red Bulls II in the 2019 season. He joined Roots from Hartford Athletic last June and recorded four goals, two assists and 52 chances created in 42 appearances for Oakland during his tenure at the club.

A native of Ecuador, the 24-year-old moved to New Jersey when he was 12. He returned to Ecuador at 16 to try out for the Barcelona de Guayaquil academy, where he would play for three seasons.

After this, he was invited to try out for the New York Red Bulls Academy where he first was added to the club’s U-19 squad for the 2019 season and then made his first professional start in the Championship for the Red Bulls II against Atlanta United 2 in June of 2019, notching one assist in two appearances overall.

Cedeño joined Hartford ahead of the 2021 season and notched two goals and one assist in 36 appearances for Athletic ahead of his transfer to Oakland.

Analysis

The past year-plus in Oakland has been the most productive we’ve seen for Jeciel Cedeño in the Championship, but it’s his underlying numbers that should have Detroit City fans excited for what he might be able to bring the side in the attacking third.

Cedeño has notched six goals in the Championship, but he’s been remarkably unlucky with his assist numbers during his time with Roots and in Hartford. The 24-year-old has averaged 1.55 chances created per 90 minutes but notched only four assists on a cumulative Expected Assists mark of 8.00xA. If the likes of Elvis Amoh, Ben Morris and Maxi Rodriguez find chemistry with the new addition, it could provide a big second half to the season as DCFC shoots for a first home playoff game in the Championship.