ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico United announced on Tuesday the club had signed defender Chris Gloster ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Gloster joins New Mexico having spent the past campaign on loan with Atlanta United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro, where he recorded seven appearances and recorded one assist in 460 minutes of action. The 23-year-old has previous experience in the USL Championship, having competed on loan with Sacramento Republic FC during the 2021 season.

“Chris brings terrific talent to our club, and a wonderful level of domestic and international experience, despite being just 23 years old,” said United Sporting Director Itamar Keinan. “He will be a tremendous asset in our effort to bring titles to New Mexico, and we can’t wait to get him on the pitch and in the community.”

A native of Hanover, N.J., Gloster made his Championship debut in 2016 for the New York Red Bulls II as a USL Academy signing before joining the professional ranks in Germany with Hannover 96. He subsequently joined PSV Eindhoven II in the Netherlands, where he made 22 appearances over two seasons before signing with New York City FC of Major League Soccer. There he made 25 appearances across all competitions, including recording one goal and one assist in 15 appearances in the top flight.

Gloster also previously represented the United States at the U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-23 levels, and competed at both the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Analysis

Chris Gloster heads to New Mexico United in search of the First Team breakthrough that has just eluded him since his move overseas from the New York Red Bulls Academy six years ago. The left-sided full back came through every stage of the United States youth development program – winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship alongside current senior internationals Sergino Dest and Chris Richards – but hasn’t found his footing at the next level.

New Mexico will offer that opportunity. At 23 years old, Gloster should still have his best seasons in front of him and offer a viable piece on the left side of defense for Head Coach Eric Quill. With New Mexico’s desire to play attacking soccer, this could be the launching point Gloster needs to find a higher level his potential has always promised.