New York City FC has loaned defender Jefferson Mena to Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC for the 2017 campaign, the MLS club announced Tuesday.
Mena, 27, made 23 appearances (22 starts) over two MLS seasons after joining NYCFC from Colombian side Independiente Medellin in July 2015.
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The Colombian center back had fallen down the depth chart for NYCFC, with Frederic Brillant and Maxime Chanot emerging as the the first-choice pairing. The club also re-signed reserve center back Ethan White earlier this offseason.
"Everyone at NYCFC would like to wish Jefferson all the very best for his loan spell in Ecuador," NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a news release. "He is a dedicated professional who played his part in our run to the playoffs last season and I'm sure he will play a big role for Barcelona in their 2017 campaign."