NYCFC Captain Alex Ring is rejoining Sporting Director Claudio Reyna at Austin FC.

After the dust settled from half-day trades and MLS Expansion Draft picks, the club nabbed the Finnish midfielder for $750K (GAM) over two years, plus another $500K in player performance incentives.

While it’s a hefty price (the largest non-US player allocation in MLS lore), the Verde have plenty of GAM to burn in their expansion year.

“We are very excited to add Alex to our squad. He is a highly regarded MLS player who can play in multiple positions,” commented Claudio Reyna, Austin FC Sporting Director. “He has been a key piece in one of the best MLS teams in the last four to five years. He sets a high standard in training and is someone who is a top professional. Alex will be a great addition to our Club.”

Austin FC press release Dec. 17, 2020

At NYCFC, 29 year-old Ring was a regular starter over his 120 career appearances in four seasons in MLS, scoring 10 goals and 13 assists in regular season play.

What does Austin FC get in Alex Ring

Ring is regarded as a top five defensive midfielder in the league.

They also get a player in his prime that’s captain at a top tier MLS club. As a leader, he can provide valuable direction in the locker room during the club’s inaugural season. He can also help new international players assimilate in the league.

Depending on how Coach Wolff’s formation shakes out, Ring will likely start as a 6 on the pitch.

Reyna actually first scouted and brought Alex to NYCFC in 2017 as an international player at Germany’s FC Kaiserslautern.

It’s important to note that Ring also counts as a domestic player (Green Card), saving those critical international player slots for upcoming roster building in Austin.

For more player insight, listen to the Dec. 29 episode of the Capital City Soccer Show.

Real Name: Alexander Michael Ring
HT: 5-9
DOB: 04.09.1991
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Nationality: Finland
Instagram: @alexringofficial

Alex Ring Career Stats