FC New York have announced that former Arsenal player Paul Shaw has signed a one-year contract. Shaw, who will serve as F.C. New York's inaugural captain, put pen to paper today with F.C. New York President Doug Petersen at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Manchester, England.

Shaw was born in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England and started his career as a trainee at Arsenal, turning professional in 1991. His debut came against Nottingham Forest on December 3, 1994. Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Shaw spent periods on loan with Burnley, Cardiff City and Peterborough United before he was sold to Millwall in September 1997.

Shaw spent three years with Millwall where he scored 25 goals in just over 100 appearances before moving to Gillingham in 2000. He left Gillingham for Sheffield United in 2004 but unable to break into the first team had a loan spells at Rotherham United. He found his opportunities at Chesterfiled, Saltergate limited, and Oxford United.

The past two seasons have been spent with Hungarian team Ferencvárosi TC, where he scored an amazing 21 goals in 48 appearances helping return Ferencvarosi to the Soproni Liga after a three-year absence.

"Paul had a great foundation growing up in the Arsenal Academy and a fantastic career scoring goals," Petersen said. "He was in New York this summer and will serve as not only a fine captain for the club, but a mentor to our younger players as well as an ambassador."

Local supporters attended Shaw's signing today, including Joe Tricarico, a local shoe store manager.

"I love the game and I am crazy to visit New York," he said. "F.C. New York has given me a reason to make the journey."