Austin FC announced today that Rodney Redes, an unknown 20-year-old Paraguayan forward playing for Club Guiraní, is its first-ever player signing.
We immediately had to shout out this historic moment in Austin FC lore.
It all started yesterday, a lazy Sunday afternoon, when club CEO Anthony Precourt teased a possible player transaction with a single tweet.
Bright and early this morning, Precourt followed up the tweet with this statement in a press release posted on the club’s site.
“This is a very proud moment for the Club and the community.” He went on to say “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.”
In the live announcement, Austin FC’s Sporting Director Claudio Reyna and Head Coach Josh Wolff spoke to media via Zoom.
“Rodney is a dynamic, attacking player, and we are proud to welcome him as the first signing in the history of Austin FC,” commented Claudio Reyna, Austin FC Sporting Director. “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.”
Key takeaways about Redes from the media event:
- Attacking player with an eye for the goal
- Versatile with ability to play multiple positions
- Young and hungry for goals
- Humble and willing to put in the work
- Able to develop in Wolff’s system
- No comment on transfer fee (estimated to be $2.75 mil)
Fan reaction was mixed, but mostly positive.
While most applauded the pick up of the young player out of South America, some expected the first signing to be a big-name, international veteran.
Our take: Austin FC stayed true to their word that they would look to discover attack-minded players in South and Central America. It sets an important tone for the club and future roster building. Our club will not be another LA Galaxy, but more in the form of Atlanta United. We’re excited about that prospect.
The team had a short window in July and pulled the trigger on a signing that could get done quickly. If a blockbuster transfer is in the cards, there’s still plenty of time before the 2021 season.
For more opinion on the club’s first ever signing, listen to a special Rodney Redes episode on the Capital City Soccer Show hosted by Landon Cotham and Jeremiah Bentley—available in all your favorite podcasting apps.
Rodney Redes Soccer Bio
Prior to Austin FC, Redes only played professionally for Paraguayan Club Guaraní, where he signed his first contract at age 18.
In 2020, Redes scored two goals in six games to date, as well as three goals in eight Copa Libertadores games. Over his young career, he’s played 80 matches with 12 goals.
Rodney will be on loan with Guaraní to finish 2020—formally joining Austin FC in January 2021.