Soccer <\/p>\n
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:<\/strong> Signing<\/em><\/p>\n Austin FC<\/a> have signed former LAFC<\/a> captain Ilie S\u00e1nchez<\/a> through 2025 with an option for 2026, the club announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The 34-year-old Spanish-American midfielder was a free agent after his contract with the Black & Gold expired at the end of last season.<\/p>\n S\u00e1nchez won the Supporters’ Shield-MLS Cup double with LAFC in 2022, converting the title-clinching penalty kick in a legendary shootout win over the Philadelphia Union<\/a>, as well as the 2024 US Open Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n A two-time MLS All-Star, S\u00e1nchez also lifted the USOC with Sporting Kansas City<\/a> in 2017.<\/p>\n Entering his ninth MLS season, S\u00e1nchez has 10g\/18a in 242 regular-season appearances with LAFC (2022-24) and SKC (2017-21).<\/p>\n “Ilie has been one of the league\u2019s top defensive midfielders in recent seasons,” said Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell. “His quality, experience and leadership will make him an excellent addition to our group.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Austin FC (@AustinFC) December 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Austin’s first offseason signing, S\u00e1nchez adds a proven veteran presence to a club that recently declined the options of defensive midfielders Alex Ring and Jhojan Valencia. The Verde & Black midfield also includes Dani Pereira<\/a>, Sebasti\u00e1n Driussi<\/a> and Owen Wolff<\/a>.<\/p>\n A product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, S\u00e1nchez is well-known for his community advocacy. In 2024, he was a finalist<\/a> for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award and was named Sporting KC\u2019s Humanitarian of the Year in 2019 and 2021 for his work with the Special Olympics\u2019 Unified Teams.<\/p>\n “In speaking with Rodolfo and Nico [Est\u00e9vez] about their plans for the upcoming season, it quickly became clear that signing with Austin FC was the best choice for me,” said S\u00e1nchez.<\/p>\n “I want to thank them for this opportunity and look forward to playing at Q2 Stadium as a member of the home team for the first time.”<\/p>\n Austin will be managed by new head coach Nico Est\u00e9vez next year after missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs the past two seasons. They’ll open their 2025 campaign on Feb. 22 against Sporting Kansas City (8:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nProven winner<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n