CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati picked up midfielder Caleb Stanko via transfer from SC Freiburg, a club in the German Bundesliga.
Stanko, 25, is a native of Holly, Michigan. He'll occupy a domestic roster spot on FC Cincinnati's inaugural MLS roster. Stanko has played for Freiburg's first- and second-division and U-19 teams since 2011, except in 2016-17 when he was loaned to Swiss FC Vaduz.
MORE: Fanendo Adi and Fatai Alashe excited to be back in MLS
The midfielder also has experience in the U.S. men's national pool. He was the U-20 team captain during the 2013 Concacaf U-20 championship in Mexico and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, and played in the World Cup qualifier against Trinidad ans Tobago on Sept. 7, 2016.
"We are happy to add Caleb to our roster," FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch said. "We look for versatility in our central midfielders and we feel he can fill a number of roles depending on the personnel we have on the pitch. We look forward to Caleb competing immediately within our group."
RELATED: FC Cincinnati is embracing the underdog role
FC Cincinnati will play its debut MLS game against the Seattle Sounders FC on March 2. The team's home opener against the Portland Timbers is set for March 17 at Nippert Stadium.
