Patrick Yazbek

Patrick Yazbek

 Photo: Courtesy Nashville SC

Nashville SC will add more than just a new head coach this week.

The team on Monday announced the signing of 22-year-old Australian midfielder Patrick Yazbek. Yazbek has been playing for Viking FK, one of the top clubs in Norway’s first division.

He’ll be available for selection in Nashville’s opening match in the Leagues Cup 2024, against Mazatlan F.C. on July 31.

That will coincide with the first game for the team’s new head coach, B.J. Callaghan, who takes over this week from interim coach Rumba Munthali. The Boys in Gold (6-11-8) are mired in a franchise-high, six-game losing streak following Saturday’s 3-0 loss at the Philadelphia Union. Nashville is 3-7-3 since firing former head coach Gary Smith on May 16.

Yazbek is signing as a U22 initiative player, which allows MLS teams to add up to three players age 22 and under to lucrative contracts at a reduced budget charge. Players can occupy the U22 initiative slot through the season they turn 25 years old. Nashville midfielder Dru Yearwood fits the same roster profile.

“Patrick is a progressive midfielder who helps create scoring chances out of midfield with his robust and dynamic link-up play,” Nashville general manager Mike Jacobs said in a release. “His experiences with the Australian national team, as well as his play in the top division in Norway at such a young age have already demonstrated unique attributes that should translate here in Major League Soccer.”

It’s unclear how much offensive upside Yazbek will bring Nashville, as he posted two goals and seven assists in 45 games across all competitions for Viking FK since 2022.

But Yazbek certainly appears to cover some ground: During 13 games (12 starts) this season, Yabek covered 7.58 miles per match on average, placing him in the top 10 of all Major League Soccer players in 2024. 

Yazbek has appeared 11 times for Australia’s U23 national team and one time for the senior team, playing 35 minutes in his nation’s 5-0 win over Lebanon in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.  

Nashville will hope Yazbek can help fill the void left by veteran midfielder Tyler Boyd, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL on July 17 against Orlando City SC.

The Boys in Gold are currently without Goodyear, who suffered a lower-body injury against Orlando, and midfielder Randall Leal, who hasn’t played this season because of a hip injury.

This article was first published by our sister publication the Nashville Post.