DETROIT – Detroit City FC announced on Thursday the club had signed midfielder James Murphy to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2025 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Murphy joins Le Rouge after spending the past two seasons with fellow USL Championship club Monterey Bay F.C. The 26-year-old led Monterey Bay in tackles (56), tackles won (32), and passes (1,376) while making 26 appearances over the past campaign, and also notched three assists in 1,975 minutes of action.

A native of Scotch Plains, N.J., Murphy has made 100 appearances in the USL Championship over his career, having previously had stops with Las Vegas Lights FC while on loan from Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer, and Rio Grande Valley FC. A central midfielder, he has recorded one goal and 14 assists in 7,210 minutes across the regular season and playoffs.

Previously, Murphy was a member of the United States U-20 Men’s National Team and signed his first professional contract with Sheffield Wednesday of the EFL Championship in England. After his stint with the Owls, Murphy returned to the United States and joined LAFC ahead of its inaugural season in Major League Soccer.

Analysis

James Murphy’s arrival in Detroit offers Le Rouge a prototypical holding midfielder that can both win possession and move it upfield, traits that should allow more freedom for the likes of Maxi Rodriguez to pull the strings in the attacking half after playing a deeper role at times in the 2023 campaign.

Murphy won 62.5 percent of tackles and 54.9 percent of duels in the past campaign, and also showed ability on set pieces – over two seasons in Monterey Bay he recorded 59 chances created from set pieces, compared to 32 from open play. He could contend for starting minutes, but will be a useful piece for Head Coach Danny Dichio as he takes the reins this campaign.