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.
Austin FC Offseason Player Transactions
Here are the latest roster decisions heading into Austin FC’s 2024 MLS season.
New ContractS (1)
- Ethan Finlay signed with Austin FC on Oct. 31, 2023 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.
contract options exercised (4)
- Alex Ring (Automatically exercised due to meeting certain benchmarks.)
- 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 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.
Contract Options declined (9)
- 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.
player Loans (3)
- Moussa Djitté (Bandirmaspor until June 30, 2024)
- Jhohan Romaña (Club Olimpia until December 31, 2023)
- Brandan Craig (Loan to Austin FC expires on December 31, 2023)
Jhohan Romaña days with Austin FC may be numbered with the impending expiration of his loan to Olimpia. It’s no secret that Romaña and coach Josh Wolff have clashed in the past over the center back’s fitness and we’re not sure the club is willing to pay him $460K to stay on for another season.
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Austin FC Offseason Player Rumors
Here’s the transfer buzz surrounding Austin FC this offseason.
Nick Lima to be Traded
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.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 20, 2023
Deal cannot be processed until MLS roster freeze ends on December 11.
Reporting with @PaulTenorio https://t.co/EZaIoYYs24
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Cover image courtesy Austin FC