Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that the club has acquired 25-year-old French midfielder Yohan Croizet in a transfer from Belgian side KV Mechelen.
Croizet has signed as a Designated Player on a contract through 2020 with an option for 2021. He will occupy an international spot on Sporting KC’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.
“We are thrilled to complete the signing of Yohan Croizet, a player who embodies many of the qualities we look for at this club,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “We all look forward to him coming to Kansas City and joining our organization.”
“This is a successful team with a great stadium, training center and fans,” Croizet said. “It has been my dream to play in MLS, so I am happy to join Sporting KC.”
A native of Sarrebourg, France, Croizet has scored 31 goals in more than 200 professional appearances across Europe. He joins Sporting KC after spending each of the last three seasons in the top-flight Belgian First Division A, where he has tallied 12 goals and 11 assists since 2015.
In his first season with KV Mechelen in 2016-17, Croizet played 37 matches as the Yellow Reds enjoyed their best domestic campaign since 2010. His three goals and four assists helped KV Mechelen to a seventh-place finish and 14 league wins, their most in the Belgian first division since 1993. Croizet has added three assists in 15 appearances during the 2017-18 season.
Prior to joining KV Mechelen, Croizet blossomed during a two-year stint with Belgian outfit OH Leuven. He bagged four goals as OH Leuven won the 2014-15 Belgian Second Division playoffs and earned promotion to the top flight. The following year, Croizet notched a career-high nine goals and added four assists as the team’s top scorer.
Croizet began his professional career as a 19-year-old, debuting for French club FC Metz in August 2011. In addition to competing with the senior team in French Ligue 2, the midfielder amassed seven goals in 57 matches for FC Metz II from 2011-13.
Croizet moved from his native France to Belgium ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, signing for RE Virton of the Belgian Second Division. His six goals from the midfield paved the way for his subsequent move to OH Leuven.
Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) acquires midfielder Yohan Croizet in a transfer from KV Mechelen (Belgium).
VITALS
Yohan Croizet (YO-hahn CRAH-zay)
Position: Midfielder
Number: 92
Born: 2/15/1992
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170 lbs.
Birthplace: Sarrebourg, France
Hometown: Sarrebourg, France
Citizenship: France
Previous club: KV Mechelen (Belgium)
Twitter: @Yohancroizet
Instagram: @___yc10
