TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Austin FC is not kicking off until 2021, but on Monday morning the club announced their first signing.
Rodney Redes, a 20-year-old Paraguayan forward, will join the club via transfer from Club Guarani in Paraguay's Primera Division. Redes will formally join Austin FC in January 2021 after remaining on-loan with his current side until the end of 2020. Redes will occupy one of Austin FC’s international player slots upon arrival to Austin in January, 2021.
"It is an honor to join Austin FC as the first player signing in club history, and I am excited for the opportunity to advance my career in Major League Soccer,” said Redes in a statement. “I look forward to representing Austin in competition and in the community. "I've been watching Major League Soccer closely, and I am very excited to begin working with Coach Wolff to further develop my skills in a global league that has helped other Paraguayan players reach new heights."
Redes joined Club Guarani in 2018 after signing his first professional contract at the age of 18. In 2020, Redes has played six of Club Guarani’s seven matches, and has scored two goals to date. Additionally, Redes has played eight Copa Libertadores matches, scoring three goals.
“Rodney is a dynamic, attacking player, and we are proud to welcome him as the first signing in the history of Austin FC,” said Austin FC sporting director Claudio Reyna. “Rodney is precisely the sort of player we intend to attract to Austin FC. At a very young age, he has already registered strong performances and collected valuable big-game experience in major competitions. I am pleased that we capitalized on this brief July transfer window to sign Rodney, and our staff looks forward to working closely with him.”
Austin FC are one of two clubs set to join MLS in 2021, as Charlotte will also be joining the league next season. Sacramento and St. Louis will join the following year.
“This is a very proud moment for the Club and the community,” said majority owner and CEO of Austin FC Anthony Precourt. “Rodney is a dynamic, young player who is eager to come to Austin, score goals, and develop within the system that Claudio and Josh intend to create in our inaugural season.”
