City Islanders add midfielder Youssef Naciri

In another quiet roster move, the Harrisburg City Islanders signed Moroccan-American midfielder Youssef Naciri. The player was recently added to Harrisburg's online roster.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Naciri graduated from LAK High School in 2011. He then moved to New York where he played for South Bronx United, a nonprofit that uses soccer to engage youth and support the community.

In 2012, Naciri played junior-varsity at Monroe College in New York. Naciri then transferred to Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. In one season he played 18 matches, scored one goal, and notched three assists. That same year Naciri played for Pacesetters Soccer Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Naciri is right-footed and plays predominantly in the central midfield. He is tall, listed anywhere from 6-foot to 6-3, but surprisingly nimble with the ball and quick to transition into attack.

Watch Naciri’s 2015 highlight reel here:

This season, the City Islanders have utilized Bobby Warshaw and Joshua Hughes in the central midfield of a 4-4-2 formation. Paired with the defensive-minded Warshaw, Naciri could provide link-up play between defense and offense.

The addition of Naciri brings Harrisburg’s roster to 23:

Goalkeepers (2): Nick Noble, Keasel Broome

Defenders (7): Shane Campbell, Shane Johnson, Darvin Ebanks, Liam Doyle, Chris Hill, Shawn McLaws, Dante Leverock

Midfielders (8): Youssef Naciri, Bobby Warshaw, Josh Hughes, Jose Barril, Paul Wilson, Danny DiPrima, Cardel Benbow, Mouhamed Dabo

Forwards (6): Garret Pettis, Mathew Bolduc, Brett Jankouskas, James Thomas, Aaron Wheeler, Craig Foster