At a Glance
- Peter Mangione, cousin of accused murderer Luigi Mangione, signed with Brooklyn FC on Jan. 14
- The team’s stadium sits a few miles from the detention center where Luigi awaits trial
- Peter starred at Penn State and joins from FC Cincinnati 2
- Why it matters: The move brings the Mangione family closer to the epicenter of a high-profile criminal case
Peter Mangione is moving to Brooklyn-just miles from where his cousin Luigi Mangione is jailed on murder charges tied to the shooting of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
From Penn State Star to Brooklyn Prospect
Peter, 24, inked his first fully-professional deal with Brooklyn FC on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The club announced his addition to its inaugural USL Championship roster, pending league approval.
Hailing from Hunt Valley, Maryland-Luigi’s hometown-the midfielder arrives after four collegiate seasons at Penn State where he:
- Tallied 32 career goals
- Captured Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2023
- Left as one of the program’s most decorated attackers
Pro Experience and Style of Play
Before Brooklyn, Peter logged 2,218 minutes across 28 matches for FC Cincinnati 2, scoring twice and adding five assists. Brooklyn FC highlighted his versatility in its release, saying he “brings a balanced midfield profile…with the engine to cover ground and the end product to impact matches in the final third.”
Stadium Just Miles From Jail
Brooklyn FC opens its season March 8 against Indy Eleven at Maimonides Park in Coney Island. The venue sits roughly four miles south of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, where Luigi has remained since his December 2024 arrest.
The same facility previously housed Sean “Diddy” Combs before the rapper was transferred to Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix in New Jersey.
Legal Timeline
Luigi appeared in court in early December for multi-day evidence-suppression hearings. He has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder counts, plus forgery charges in Pennsylvania. Trial is expected later this year.
Key Takeaways
- Peter Mangione’s move to Brooklyn FC places another member of the Mangione family within the borough
- The midfielder’s new home pitch is only a short drive from where his cousin awaits trial
- Brooklyn FC will debut in the second-tier USL Championship this spring
