New York City FC star Taty Castellanos joins Lazio

The Argentine player joins Serie A most prominent club

Taty Castellanos, an attacker for New York City FC, has joined Italian top-division side Lazio. The striker will play under the management of Maurizio Sarri at Lazio.

Among the costliest departing transfers in MLS history, the 24-year-old Argentine leaves NYCFC for an all-time high trade fee. A sell-on fee is also kept by the Pigeons.

The 2022–23 Serie A runners-up, Lazio, will take part in the forthcoming UEFA Champions League and have an assault that is spearheaded by Italian striker Ciro Immobile.

It’s an incredible story, and we’re delighted to have played a part in his development," sporting director David Lee said in a release.

"From the moment Taty arrived in New York, his quality, dedication and professionalism were apparent, and it is little surprise that he will continue his career progression at the highest levels in Europe. It also continues to show that NYCFC and City Football Group is a fantastic environment for players to improve and develop."

"I’d like to sincerely thank everyone at NYCFC and City Football Group for always looking after me so well and for making this move possible," said Castellanos. "It’s like being part of a family. I’d also like to thank the fans who have always believed in me and supported me every single game."

While on loan at Girona for the 2022–23 LaLiga season, Valentín Castellanos made history by netting four goals versus Real Madrid. He tied for ninth place (13 goals) with Atlético Madrid striker Alvaro Morata in the Spanish top division Golden Boot standings.

Valentín Castellanos earned the MLS Cup and the Golden Boot given out by Audi Awards in 2021 while playing for NYCFC. 

With 59 goals tallied throughout all competitions, he leaves NYCFC as the club's second-highest scorer all-time, trailing only David Villa of the Spain national team.

Taty Castellanos has now joined Lazio, a team that frequently competes in European competitions as a top-half Serie A team.

He is also the most recent high-profile striker to leave the MLS, after Ricardo Pepi from FC Dallas and Jhon Durán from Chicago Fire FC to Aston Villa in England.

Lazio's key player Sergej Milinković-Savić left the club in the summer.