It’s rare to see a 27 year old player move from one of the top leagues in the world to Major League Soccer, let alone the American second division.

But signing with a club that hasn’t fielded a professional side in nearly 30 years? That has to be a first.

Spanish midfielder Ayoze Garcia, who most recently plied his trade with Sporting Gijon of the Spanish Primera prior to their relegation, has signed on with the New York Cosmos.

“Ayoze is a very talented player that has great experience in the top two divisions in Spain,” Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese said. “That experience should prove invaluable to our team this season. He also has the versatility to play anywhere on the left side. Combined with the energy he brings to the pitch every game, I think our fans are in for a real treat when he suits up in Cosmos colors.”

If you have never heard of Ayoze, don’t feel bad; he wasn’t a main fixture with Gijon over the past few seasons. He played in all of 26 competitions, scoring a single goal. However, that doesn’t take away from just how remarkable this signing is. Now matter how seldom it happened, the left sided midfielder featured in La Liga over the past three years and with CD Tenerife in both the top and second flight.

That kind of pedigree would at the very least pique the interest of Major League Soccer clubs. Instead, he has found a home in the NASL with the Cosmos.

As has been said many times before, the fledgling side will be looking to loan out players as they await their NASL Fall Championship debut to keep them game fit where possible. Ayoze could be an enticing proposition to any domestic team in either MLS or the NASL.