Offseason player tracker: Austin FC roster updates for the 2024 season – CAPITAL CITY SOCCER

Welcome to the 2023 offseason edition of our player tracker. With a disappointing non-playoff season in our rearview mirror, we’re expecting big roster changes from first-year Sporting Director Rodo Borrell and his revamped scouting and recruitment department. How will Rodo navigate his maiden offseason transfer window with the Verde?

We’re predicting plenty of action this winter in preparation for the 2024 season. Follow along with us right here for player transfer news and rumors this offseason.

Let’s get right to it then.

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Here are the latest roster decisions heading into Austin FC’s 2024 MLS season.

  • Micah Burton signed by Austin FC on a four-year guaranteed contract through the end of 2027, with an option for 2028. The 17-year-old played last season with Austin FC II—his first pro contract. Burton will occupy a Homegrown and Supplemental roster spot on the First team.
  • Guilherme Biro (full name Guilherme da Trindade Dubas) signed by Austin FC from Brazilian side Mirassol Futebol Clube. The 23-year-old defender is on a three-year contract through the end of the 2026, with an option for 2027.
  • Stefan Cleveland signed by Austin FC on a two-year guaranteed contract through the end of 2025, with an option for 2026. The 29-year old free agent played as the backup goalkeeper for Seattle Sounders in 2023.
  • Brendan Hines-Ike signed by Austin FC on a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of 2024, with an option for 2025. The 29-year-old free agent center back last played for DC United where he made 46 appearances from 2021-2023. Adds much-needed depth to the central defense.
  • Diego Rubio signed by Austin FC on a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of 2024, with an option for 2025. The 30-year-old free agent striker last played for the Colorado Rapids and fills a hole for ATX at the striker position with the departure of Urruti and Bruin.
  • Jáder Obrian selected by Austin FC on Dec. 14 in the first pick of the MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1. Obrian will occupy a Senior and International roster spot.
  • Bryant Farkarlun selected by Austin FC as the 31st overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. Farkarlun is a forward from UTRGV where he was an All-WAC first team selection his senior year.

Last year Austin traded up to get Sofiane Djeffal with the first pick of the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1. Let’s hope Verde’s trade to get the first pick again this year turns out better with the selection of winger Jáder Obrian who was let go by FC Dallas in the offseason. The 28-year-old Colombian’s total compensation in 2023 was some $480K, which Austin should be able to negotiate since he was let go.

  • Nick Lima traded to New England Revs on Dec. 11 for $300K in 2024 GAM. Austin is guaranteed to receive $275K and an additional $25K on condition for the defender who had 104 appearances in 3 seasons.
  • Jhohan Romaña’s loan to Olimpia ended in December 2023 and by January 2024 Austin transferred the Colombian defender to Argentine Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro. Last year Romaña appeared to be at the end of his rope with coach Josh Wolff, having clashed in the past over the center back’s fitness.

Nick Lima is Rodo Borrell’s biggest trade since Diego Fagundez was moved to LA Galaxy. Austin FC’s Sporting Director continues to shop veteran MLS players to build his war chest. Rodo obviously has new designs for the fullback position in 2024.

  • Ethan Finlay signed with Austin FC on Oct. 31 for one guaranteed year through the end of the 2024 season, with an additional option for the 2025 season.

Sporting Director Rodo Borrell’s first move in the offseason was a no-brainer. The out-of-contract free agent was a bright spot on the wing in 2023. Finlay likely earned a pay bump from his $425K salary in 2023, but because it’s MLS (sigh) we won’t find out his new contract amount until the spring of 2024.

  • Alex Ring (Automatic)
  • Daniel Pereira
  • Damian Las
  • Hector Jimenez

It was a surprising twist that Alex Ring‘s option was automatic, considering we thought the writing was on the wall that he was on his way out. He was rumored to transfer to another Western Conference MLS team early in the season. That talk disappeared when our backline was battered by the injury bug, and Alex stepped into the central defender role. With his value in MLS, it’s still likely the club will still pursue a trade for 2024.

Defender Hector Jimenez appears to be an insurance policy/coaching development prospect that Austin wants to hold onto for another year. The club re-signed him in 2022 at a reduced salary and now has picked up his option for 2024 after some negotiation. Jimenez appeared in 2 games and played 50 minutes in 2023.

  • Charlie Asensio
  • Will Bruin
  • Sofiane Djeffal
  • Kipp Keller
  • Adam Lundkvist
  • Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez
  • Rodney Redes
  • Memo Rodriguez
  • Maxi Urruti

A monster move by Rodo Borrell to free up $2.3 million in guaranteed compensation. Maxi Urruti and Will Bruin‘s departure clears the way for a new attacking nucleus for Austin. Pour one out for the first-ever player in Verde, Rodney Redes. He leaves (the U.S.?) having logged 1,352 minutes in his lackluster career at ATX, scoring 1 MLS goal and notching 2 assists.

  • Damian Las (Louisville City FC until December 31, 2024)
  • Moussa Djitté (Bandirmaspor until June 30, 2024)
  • Brandan Craig (Loan to Austin FC expired on December 31, 2023)

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Here’s the transfer buzz surrounding Austin FC this offseason.

Austin FC is already cooking in the 2024 summer transfer window. MLS insider Tom Bogert reports that the 28-year-old right back Mikkel Desler is packing his bags for the ATX once his contract is up at Toulouse FC.

On the heels of Nick Lima’s departure this offseason, Verde fans have to love the sound of this news. Sporting Director Rodo Borrell making smart money moves to improve the Starting XI by adding an immediate impact player on the defense from the first division of French football.

Sources: Austin FC is finalizing a deal to sign Danish right back Mikkel Desler.

Desler, 28, currently with Toulouse in France. The plan is for him to join in the summer on a free transfer when his contract expires.https://t.co/s8CYymaXGA

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 13, 2024

Austin FC has an offer on the table to River Plate for 30-year-old Colombian forward Miguel Angel Borja. Argentine sports journalist German Garcia Grove reports Austin initially bid $3.5M for 80% of the striker’s rights, which River has outright rejected. Borja currently has a contract with River Plate through the end of 2025.

Austin FC supporters won’t be happy that the club is targeting yet another 30+ year old striker, after just unloading Urruti and Bruin this offseason. But, has Rodo’s revamped scouting department found a gem for the Verde?

“A chapter closes and goodbyes hurt…” Jhohan posts on IG after his stint at Olimpia officially ends. Romaña finished a one-year loan with the Paraguayan club. The Colombian center back said on a South American sports radio show that his next move is to Argentine club San Lorenzo. While it’s likely Austin won’t recoup all $460K of his annual salary, it does free up a senior roster spot.

Austin FC is interested in signing Seattle Sounders center back Xavier Arreaga, according to Seattle sports reporter Niko Moreno. The 29-yr-old Ecuadorian defender logged 349 minutes in 14 appearances in 2023 and had a base salary of $750K per MLSPA.

Talking to Venezuelan sports journalist Fernando Petrocelli of Ruta Vinotinto, Dani Pereira was asked if he’ll be playing with Austin FC in 2024. The young midfielder’s response was an alarming “I think so, but I’m not sure…”!?!! Pereira’s retort leaves some wiggle room that a deal may be in the works. Fans closely following his pro career trajectory as a Generation adidas Super Draft pick in 2021 won’t be too surprised that a trade within MLS could occur this offseason.

Got off the phone with one of my better sources and he assured me that the San Jose Earthquakes have reached out inquiring about #AustinFC ‘s Daniel Pereira and are interested in the #Venezuelan midfielder. He also added that #NYCFC is not one of the teams “In the race.” pic.twitter.com/96xM8581dD

— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) December 23, 2023

It’s reported that Austin FC will trade Nick Lima to New England Revolution. By our estimate Lima had one more year on his contract in Austin. Nick logged the fourth-most minutes (2,419) and played in every regular season game except one. Is this an early peek behind the curtain of a massive roster rebuild under Rodo?

Sources: The New England Revolution has agreed a deal to acquire right back Nick Lima from Austin FC for around $275k GAM.Deal cannot be processed until MLS roster freeze ends on December 11.

Reporting with @PaulTenorio https://t.co/EZaIoYYs24

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 20, 2023

Cover image courtesy Austin FC

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