CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati have signed defender Bret Halsey to a first-team contract from FC Cincinnati 2, the club announced today. Halsey, 23, was signed to the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side in November and now signs with the Orange and Blue through 2024, with club options for 2025 and 2026.
Halsey spent two stints with the first team on a short-term agreement this season, once ahead of a road match against Nashville SC back in March, and most recently for matches against Toronto FC and at D.C. United. He made his MLS debut at TQL Stadium in a 3-0 win over Toronto on June 21.
“We’re really happy to have added Bret to the first team on a permanent basis” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager. “He’s a young player with athleticism, quality on the ball, and positional versatility. This is a testament to Bret’s hard work but also the work of Tyrone and our staff with FC Cincinnati 2. We look forward to Brett’s continued development.”
Halsey was selected by Real Salt Lake as the seventh overall pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation adidas player out of the University of Virginia. Halsey registered three appearances in 2022 in MLS NEXT Pro with RSL’s second team, Real Monarchs after playing in 19 matches when the club was still part of the USL Championship in 2021.
The Sterling, Va. Native has started 12 games for FC Cincinnati 2 this season in MLS NEXT Pro. Halsey scored a goal in a 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union 2 on June 4, and is second on the team with three assists.
The former first-round SuperDraft pick was a two-time ACC All-Tournament honoree with Virginia, where he appeared in 31 games, all starts, in his three seasons with the Cavaliers.
TRANSACTION: FC Cincinnati sign Bret Halsey to a first-team contract through 2024, with club options for 2025 and 2026 on July 1, 2023.
#42 BRET HALSEY
Position: Defender
DOB: June 1, 2000 (23)
Hometown: Sterling, Va.
Height: 5’9’’
Nationality: American
