NYCFC Close To Signing Ismael Tajouri of Austria Wien – Reports

(Updated – 1/12/18 | NYCFC have announced the signing of Ismael Tajouri)

According to multiple reports from Austria, NYCFC is close to completing a deal for FK Austria Wien winger Ismael Tajouri. The 23-year-old is currently undergoing a medical in Manchester prior to finalizing the details of his contract according to Austria Wien’s sporting director Franz Wohlfahrt. 

Ismael Tajouri primarily played on the right-wing for Austria Wien and is under contract through the end of the season in June. He currently has 17 appearances (14 starts) and 2 assists for the Austrian club. Tajouri was expected to lose his starting role to Brazilian Lucas Venuto who is returning from injury and who last month made his first appearance this season.

Tajouri has played 75 matches in all with the senior team, notching 11 goals and 10 assists primarily from the right wing. He’s played in 19 Europa League matches tallying a goal in the 2017 Group stage against AEK, their only win in 6 matches.

Ismael Tajouri has also played in midfield and at left wing at times and should easily adapt to Patrick Vieira’s system with New York City FC as his current club also use the 4-3-3 system. Tajouri aspired to play for the Libyan national team but has not been capped by the senior team yet, with only one appearance in a friendly for the U-20 side.

Tajouri’s arrival would mean instant competition for current New York City winger Jack Harrison who had made the role unquestionably his last season. Patrick Vieira always preaches the benefits of having players fight for their positions and Jack Harrison will now be competing with Tajouri for the spot following the departure of Khiry Shelton.

Austria Wien finds itself 18 points behind leaders Puntigamer Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga as of the time of writing.

We will continue to post updates as this story progresses. You can follow along with all of NYCFC’s transfer updates here.