New York City FC acquired defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe from Real Salt Lake on Monday, making him the new club's sixth player.
NYCFC will send their fourth-round pick of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for the 6-foot-3 center-back.
Manager Jason Kreis previously managed Watson-Siriboe in 2012-2013 at RSL.
"I am really happy to be able to continue my work with Kwame from my time at Real Salt Lake," Kreis said in a statement. "He is a player that was great to coach and I'm confident he will be able to contribute to the strength and shape of our back line as we continue to build towards our first game in March 2015.
"Kwame is the type of imposing central defender that is difficult to play against, adding him to the squad at this early point in our roster building process is fantastic."
Watson-Siriboe, 27, is the second defender to join NYCFC after the expansion franchise added Jeb Brovsky from Montreal in June.
The former UConn player missed most of last season after tearing the meniscus and ACL in his right knee in June 2013.
"I'm delighted to be reuniting with Jason Kreis and Miles Joseph," said Watson-Siriboe in a statement. "I had a great working relationship with Coach Kreis, I'm looking forward to continuing this under his leadership.
"I already know what he expects from his defenders and I am confident that I will be able to contribute effectively from the moment I begin training in January. I feel strong, fit and am excited to start working hard for my new club and for the NYCFC supporters."
Striker David Villa, goalkeeper Josh Saunders and midfielders Frank Lampard and Andrew Jacobson are the rest of NYCFC's current roster.