Confirmed: Keaton Parks is not going anywhere

When the 2023 season ended, some thought Keaton Parks might have played his final match for New York City FC. Some rumors were going around that he would go to Europe. Alas, that was not the case.

To end a great week, NYCFC announced on Friday that Parks is not going anywhere. The midfielder signed a contract extension with the club through 2026. There are options through 2028.

Keaton Parks is staying with NYCFC

In other words, this is a friendly contract extension for the player and NYCFC. It does not throw away Parks' chance of moving overseas. It also does not tie down the Pigeons in the case the American has hit his peak. Ideally, he will have so much more to offer.

The contract extension is not shocking by any means. While some thought Parks would leave, his Instagram spoke volumes. He was busy in the offseason with his family and posted too often to indicate he would be leaving the club. There are many logistics when it comes to moving overseas, so he would not have had all of the free time that he did.

Moreover, he deserves his contract extension. Parks is one of the more underrated midfielders in Major League Soccer. His abilities on the ball improve the middle third of the pitch for NYCFC. The way he moves up and down the pitch appears effortless, which aids him in moving around and avoiding opposing players.

Also, Parks is happy in New York. "I couldn’t be happier to extend my stay with New York City," he said to NYCFC.com. "It’s a club and city that have welcomed me and my family with open arms and now holds a dear place in my heart. The last five years have been amazing through all the ups and downs. Helping this Club win trophies is something that I will always remember. I look forward to continuing to work hard and lead by example to help this team achieve its goals this season and beyond."

Parks' contract extension is a great way to end the week. New York City FC has done well this offseason by tying down certain players for a few more years. The Pigeons should continue to add more players as well, subsequently making the team more competitive in 2024.