3 min read
2nd Feb 2023
Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera has joined MLS side FC Cincinnati on loan.
The Colombian joined Wolves in the summer of 2021 and has developed in that period, but after suffering an injury on his first-team debut, is yet to feature for the old gold this term.
The 21-year-old was injured against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup and underwent surgery this time last year, before returning to fitness and featuring for the under-21s on occasions either side of the summer.
Now, with the arrival of Craig Dawson at Molineux, Wolves have strengthened their defensive unit, which allows Mosquera to depart in a bid to gain more minutes to continue his development.
Strategic player marketing manager Matt Jackson said: “It’s really positive for Yerson. A lot of the MLS teams were aware of him, before he joined us. It’s a natural affiliation for South American players to the league, so he can settle quickly, concentrate on his football and develop to the level that he needs to come back and be really competitive in our first-team.
“It’s a very competitive, very athletic league. It’s developed massively over recent years and the best players tend to be the forwards, so he’ll be well tested. It’s a brilliant set up at Cincinnati, they have top class facilities to allow him to develop. We’ve tasked him with coming back ready to be fully integrated. He’s made a big impression on everyone here off the field and now we need him to do the same on it.
“It’s unlikely Yerson was going to make his debut in the Premier League this season, so it makes sense to prove himself over a sustained period in a high intensity, good quality league, and develop the personality required to be a player at our level.”
The MLS season starts in February, with Cincinnati facing Nashville on day one, and Jackson hopes the loan move, which has an open closing date, can help the Colombia under-20 international grow off the pitch, as well as on it.
“He was very open to every opportunity, and we talked to a few clubs in Europe, but the work we do isn’t just about on the field, it’s off it – life, integration into society. We’ve tasked him to come back and be fluent in English – it’s details like that we add into the football, so they come back well rounded as individuals and ready to play.
“He can play the full MLS season, which will be over our pre-season and into next season, and we’re comfortable with that. If he has a successful year, he’ll be ready for us in the new year next year, which is great. We’ve discussed it internally and would be comfortable with him being back here in the summer or at the end of the MLS season.”
