Hero Indian Super League 2015 champions Chennaiyin FC’s Golden Boot winner John Stiven Mendoza has completed a loan switch to New York City FC from Corinthians. On the back of a prolific Hero ISL season in which he racked up 13 goals for Chennaiyin FC, the Colombian striker will now don the sky blue of the New York-based Major League Soccer club.

The Super Machans striker will now team up with footballing icons like Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa. The 23-year-old will also be working under Patrick Vieira, who recently took over the coaching reins of the MLS club.

"Everyone kept telling me that it's a team that is forming and coming together really well." Mendoza told NYCFC's website. "Patrick Vieira is someone who wants to win. I've talked with the head coach [Vieira] and I am very excited by the confidence he has in me,” the Colombian added.

Vieira, who has plenty of experience working with youngsters in his previous role with Manchester City’s U-21 team, also spoke of Mendoza in glowing terms. “First of all, Mendoza brings additional pace up front and is really good in the 1v1 situations. Technically he’s a fantastic player and can score goals. He’s another young talented player that we add to our roster and he will be really important for us this season,” the former France international said.

Former USA soccer veteran and now NYCFC’s sporting director Claudio Reyna was also bullish about Mendoza’s signing. “I think Mendoza will be an exciting player to watch and will bring further pace and creative ability to the squad. He has good experience in Brazil with Corinthians and has played abroad in India - so he also has experience playing outside of South America. We are confident that he will adapt well to MLS and be an important player for us moving forward,” Reyna said.