Justin Haak mentioned on Friday that discussions are ongoing between him, New York City FC, and his agent to finalize a new contract. This comes as other MLS clubs and international teams are showing interest in him.
At 24, the defender will be a free agent after the current NYCFC season concludes. The team is currently pushing for success in the playoffs, with a match against Union in the Eastern Conference semifinals scheduled for Sunday. However, reports indicate that several organizations are eager to secure his talents.
While at NYCFC’s training facility in Orangeburg, Haak shared details about these talks. “Yes, there have been conversations here about improvements,” he noted. “I think we got off to a slow start, but the season has been going well, so I feel like things are picking up little by little.”
Haak is a proud product of NYCFC’s academy, and as a Brooklyn native, he has played a significant role in the team’s recent achievements, emerging as one of the league’s standout defenders.
This success has likely contributed to the heightened interest in him from various clubs. According to reports, 16 MLS teams and six clubs from the English Football League Championship have expressed interest.
Regarding this situation, NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen emphasized the team’s immediate focus on the upcoming playoff game against Philadelphia. “Personal concerns about individual players and plans for next season are irrelevant,” he stated.
There’s a notable bond between Jansen and Haak, which developed during the coach’s first year with the team. Clubs like Coventry City and Middlesbrough are reportedly interested in Haak as they aim for potential promotion to the Premier League.
Haak acknowledged that he was informed of his contract situation early in the season but is determined to concentrate on performing well on the field. He has featured in 35 matches this season, scoring one goal and becoming one of ten players to log over 3,000 minutes in MLS. His passing ability stands out, with 1,747 completed passes, ranking him 16th in the league.
He mentioned staying in regular touch with his representatives, but ultimately, their message has been clear: focus on the game. “There have been a lot of conversations throughout the season, but it’s always been that I need to do my job on the field,” Haak explained. “That will always be my biggest focus, and they will take care of the rest.”
