NYCFC buys out Diskerud's contract

New York City FC has freed up a chunk of its budget after buying out the remainder of Mix Diskerud's contract Thursday.

The United States international remains under contract with Major League Soccer, according to a club statement, but the buyout means he is no longer a member of NYCFC.

Diskerud made $761,250 last season, as specified by the MLS Players Union.

Each MLS team has the right to buy out one Guaranteed Contract during the offseason to remove a player's hit against the salary cap. However, the team in question is still on the hook for the remaining wages.

NYCFC announced the decision as it unveiled its 30-man squad for the upcoming campaign.

It's unclear if the club will make any other moves with the extra budgetary space.

Diskerud's time in the Big Apple began to sour in the second half of the 2016 season. He didn't make a single start for Patrick Vieira's side after July, and wasn't selected for the team's preseason camp in February.

Here is the rest of the NYCFC squad:

Goalkeepers: Eirik Johansen, Sean Johnson, Andre Rawls

Defenders: RJ Allen, Kwame Awuah, Frederic Brillant, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Shannon Gomez, Ronald Matarrita, Ben Sweat, Ethan White

Midfielders: Miguel Camargo, Yangel Herrera, Mikey Lopez, Maxi Moralez, Tommy McNamara, Andrea Pirlo, Alex Ring, John Stertzer, Rodney Wallace

Forwards: Jack Harrison, Jonathan Lewis, Sean Okoli, Khiry Shelton, David Villa