TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Austin FC continued their 2021 roster build by signing midfielder Diego Fagundez after the end of his 10-year career as a New England Revolution homegrown, the club announced Tuesday.
Fagundez is Austin’s 16th signing and brings ample MLS experience to the expansion club. This past season, he tied Shalrie Joseph for New England's regular-season appearance record (261) and reached 53 goals and 45 assists.
“Diego is a player in the prime of his career who has scored over 50 goals, played over 250 matches and comes with significant MLS experience. We are fortunate to bring a 25-year-old with vast and proven experience to the club,” said Austin sporting director Claudio Reyna in a club release. “Diego has played in a number of positions throughout his career and his dynamic positional flexibility is a strength that Austin FC will have the opportunity to benefit from.”
Fagundez signed with New England as a 15-year-old and became the youngest player to reach 100 MLS appearances during the 2015 season. That same year, he also became the youngest player to score 25 goals.
The former Uruguay U-20 international was a free agent after the 2020 season, departing after a decade in New England. He met the league’s requisite age (at least 24) and MLS service years (at least five) amounts to choose his next stop.
“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career, alongside a club creating a new chapter for an amazing city like Austin,” Fagundez said in a club release. “I am ready and motivated to represent Austin FC next season, and I look forward to giving my best for the club.”
2021 Austin FC Roster as of January 5, 2021:
HEAD COACH: Josh Wolff
FORWARDS (4):
- Dominguez, Cecilio
- Gallagher, Jon
- Hoesen, Danny
- Redes, Rodney
MIDFIELDERS (5):
- Fagundez, Diego
- Jimenez, Hector
- Ring, Alex
- Segura, Ulises
- Stroud, Jared
DEFENDERS (4):
- Cascante, Julio
- Lima, Nick
- Romana, Jhohan
- Sweat, Ben
GOALKEEPERS (3):
- Scott, Brady
- Stuver, Brad
- Tarbell, Andrew
