FC Cincinnati 2 have signed defender Juan Manuel Machado Zuñiga to an MLS NEXT Pro contract, the club announced today. Per club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Machado, 18, joins the Orange and Blue from youth club CD Estudiantil in Medellín, Colombia where he spent six seasons beginning in 2017. The Turbo, Colombia native helped lead the U17 side to an appearance in the 2021 National Championship of the Antioquan Football League and again in 2022 where he would score the first goal in a title win for the club.

Machado becomes the second midseason signing for FC Cincinnati 2 following the arrival of forward Philip Horton on June 16.

TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati 2 sign Juan Manuel Machado Zuñiga to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on June 23, 2023.

JUAN MANUEL MACHADO ZUÑIGA
Position: Defender
Hometown: Turbo, Colombia
Height: 6’ 3”
Nationality: Colombian
Previous Club: CD Estudiantil

COURTESY FC CINCINNATI COMMUNICATIONS