NYCFC signs Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill through the 2028 MLS season

New York City FC (NYCFC) adds much-needed depth to the midfield with the signing of Australian international and midfielder Aiden O’Neill.

Just two days after the MLS Primary Transfer Window closed, the club announced that the 26-year-old has signed with the Boys in Blue through the end of the 2028 Major League Soccer season.

A defensive-minded, box-to-box midfielder with extensive leadership qualities and a tireless engine, O’Neill arrives in New York with over 185 professional appearances, including stints in the English Premier League, Belgian Pro-League, and the Australian A-League.

“We are excited to welcome Aiden to New York City,” said NYCFC Sporting Director David Lee.

“Aiden is a smart and powerful midfielder with a high work rate, bringing valuable European experience and leadership from his time as captain of Standard Liège.”

Aiden O’NeillPhoto courtesy of NYCFC

For NYCFC, the signing is another signal of intent. O’Neill will look to push for a starting spot in an area of need for the squad. With Keaton Parks, Justin Haak, and Johnny Shore logging most of the minutes in central midfield, O’Neill’s inclusion will be helpful for a City side currently lingering in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

O’Neill’s professional soccer journey began in Brisbane, Australia, where he played youth soccer for Brisbane Athletic and the University of Queensland FC. As a teenager, he moved to England, where he joined Burnley FC’s youth academy. O’Neill would then go on to sign his first professional contract with the club in January 2016.

From there, O’Neill went on to play for several teams, including Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town in England, the Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar in his native Australia, and eventually Standard Liege in Belgium.

Now, the midfielder is keen to call New York City home.

Aiden O’Neill

“I’m extremely excited to join New York City FC and to be back within City Football Group for this next chapter of my career,” O’Neill said.

“I’ve heard incredible things about the organization and the city, and I can’t wait to get started and meet everyone. I’m especially looking forward to playing in front of the passionate New York City fan base and giving them a reason to cheer as we compete for trophies.”

The Australian joins NYCFC at a pivotal time. With midseason approaching, the Pigeons were in desperate need of a midfield reinforcement, particularly with the winter departures of James Sands and Santiago Rodriguez.

Under head coach Pascal Jansen, O’Neill will likely be deployed as a defensive midfielder alongside Parks in the team’s usual 4-2-3-1. His arrival could provide dynamism, extra depth, and technical ability in the center of the field — something the team has been missing.

“I’d describe myself as a hardworking, box-to-box midfielder who’s all about the collective—always ready to give absolutely everything on-and-off the pitch,” he continued.

“This is an ambitious Club representing one of the greatest cities in the world, and I’m looking forward to making my mark.”