Austin FC Weekly Newsletter: Reviewing Every Current Austin FC Transfer Rumor, an All-Star Week Review, and Previewing Austin FC @ DC United
The 2025 All-Star Week headlined a pretty tame week of Austin FC news. Let’s take a deeper look at the signing of Mateja Djordjević and analyze all of Austin FC’s recent transfer rumors, before previewing this weekend’s match away in the nation's capital.
Mateja Djordjević Signing
Austin FC announced on Thursday afternoon that they had signed 22-year-old Serbian center-back Mateja Djordjević. Djordjević joins the Verde and Black after a $1 million transfer from his previous club, TSC Bačka Topola. His contract runs through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. Djordjević has over 50 appearances in the Serbian top-flight and 11 appearances in UEFA competitions, including 7 appearances in last year’s Conference League. With a cap hit of just $200,000 a year thanks to his U22 Initiative designation, this is a promising and cheap signing for Austin FC.
Transfer Rumor Updates
With the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opening yesterday, July 24th, let’s examine all the recent transfer rumors surrounding Austin FC and assess the likelihood of each move happening this window.
Diego Palacios
Likelihood of signing: Very Likely
Although there have not been too many updates as of late, we can still expect that the former LAFC man is on his way to Austin following many credible reports out of Brazil tipping Palacios to join the Verde and Black on loan at least until the end of the season. The terms of the loan are still hazy, but there are some things we do know. The reported terms of the deal include an obligation to buy if Palacios starts over 50% of Austin FC’s remaining league fixtures, in addition to Corinthians covering a majority of his salary. This could potentially mean he would occupy a supplemental spot, which would be brilliant, but if not, Austin FC’s senior roster is currently full, so an outbound transfer (or buyout) would be needed to make the move possible. Either way, everything is pointing in the right direction for the Brazilian to be loaned in shortly.
Tuti Andrade
Likelihood of signing: Fifty-Fifty
New reports late this week have indicated that Kervin Andrade will be on the move this window, and it will most likely be him joining Major League Soccer. Both Austin FC and Orlando City SC are interested and have placed differing bids for the young Brazilian, with Austin FC reportedly placing a $3 million bid for a permanent transfer of Andrade, while Orlando City placed a loan-to-buy bid for $2 million. Financially, Austin FC’s bid will be more appealing to Fortaleza, but they may favor a loan agreement to further his development before shipping him off permanently. Only time will tell what will happen to the Venezuelan attacking midfielder.
Manuel Lanzini
Likelihood of signing: Unlikely
This one never really seemed likely, as Lanzini is getting old and has been unable to break into River Plate’s starting XI since joining. His contract is up at the end of the 2025 season, so a move then could be more likely, but spending multiple millions to bring in an attacking midfielder who is well into his 30s and on the tail-end of a mildly successful career in Europe doesn’t seem like a smart move.
Mickaël Nadé & Nicolás Figal
Likelihood of signings: Unlikely
With the signing of Mateja Djordjević yesterday afternoon, it is unlikely that either Mickaël Nadé or Nicolás Figal will become Austin FC players. There have been no follow-up reports after initial rumors surfaced in June, and with the senior roster full and other positions more in need of depth, there is little chance of another center-back signing this window.
Dani Pereira
Likelihood of sale: Possible
A whopping four conflicting reports have come out in the last 7 days regarding a potential sale of Dani Pereira to EFL Championship side Coventry City. Just hours after initial reports last week suggested the move was nearing finalization, Tom Bogert dropped a vague, bombshell tweet that the report was “not true.” Just a few days later, another report out of South America indicated that the deal was still on, but in less advanced stages than previously reported. Yet again, just hours after, Tom Bogert posted a more definitive tweet, saying that there has been “no contact” between the two clubs regarding a potential transfer of the Venezuelan.
Jáder Obrian
Likelihood of sale: Somewhat Likely
With the senior roster completely full as of Thursday, and all 9 international spots taken up, the sale of Jáder Obrian, who has fallen out of favor in recent months and occupies both international and senior roster designations, would make a lot of sense. With two clubs in his native Colombia reportedly interested and his contract up at the end of the season, Rodo is definitely looking to sell last year’s top scorer to free up space for some important moves to close out the summer window and prepare for 2026. If a decent fee can be agreed upon by both parties, Obrian’s short spell in Central Texas may come to a close sooner than expected.
Nico Dubersarsky
Likelihood of sale: Impossible
A report in mid-July suggested that River Plate had inquired about potentially bringing Nico Dubersarsky back to Argentina just months after his move to Austin FC. Obviously, this was never going to happen, but River Plate is free to inquire as they please. A move so soon, after Nico has seen very limited minutes, is next to impossible, especially for the fee that would be required, given the $3 million fee paid by Austin to acquire the Argentinian.
All-Star Week Recap
After a week of festivities in the Austin area, the 2025 MLS All-Star Week has come to an end. Beginning on Saturday with a two-night fan fest in the downtown area, the hype built throughout the week as various player appearances, special events, and Tom Bogert appearances culminated in exciting fashion as the MLS All-Star team left victorious in both the Skills Challenge and All-Star Game.
Brad Stuver appeared in the Skills Challenge, taking part in the cross and volley event, where he made some quality saves and helped Austin get the point over Liga MX. Later on, both Stuver and Whitecaps goalkeeper, Yohei Takaoka, participated in the crossbar challenge to cap off a long night of the somewhat odd spectacle, with Takaoka hitting the crossbar from 36 yards out to hand MLS the win over Liga MX, as the All-Star week progressed into its last day.
The All-Star Game on Wednesday night was quite interesting as the MLS All-Stars took down the Liga MX All-Stars 3-1 at Q2 Stadium. Brad Stuver played the first 30 minutes in goal for MLS, keeping a clean sheet and making a few saves. A goal from Sam Surridge in the 28th minute, after some heroics from LAFC superstar Denis Bouanga, gave the MLS a 1-0 lead going into the break. Goals from Tai Baribo and Brian White in the second half, split by a wonderful goal from 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, sealed off the game for the MLS All-Stars. Late into the second half, Austin FC cult-hero and Messi’s All-Star replacement (upgrade), Guilherme Biro, entered the match to a brilliant reception from the Austin crowd.
It was a great week for soccer in Austin, and it proved to the world that Austin truly is a soccer city. From packed celebration events to a raucous atmosphere in Q2 Stadium for the All-Star Game, the capital of Texas has shown fans everywhere what Austin and its soccer fans are capable of and how strong the community is.
Vázquez Surgery
Brandon Vázquez posted on Thursday afternoon that he had undergone successful ACL surgery in California. The club has not released any further details, but this officially marks the start of our DP 9’s journey back onto the field, something that may take upwards of 9 months from today.
DC United Preview
Austin FC, after yet another lengthy break of play, has an opportunity to get yet another 3 points on the road against a non-playoff team in DC United. With Uzuni seemingly hitting a patch of form with a goal and assist in the game last Wednesday against the LA Galaxy, the Albanian goalscorer may finally be ready to deliver on his promise of breaking records for the club. The whole squad, save Brandon Vázquez of course, should be available for the game, with new signing Nicky Beloko also available for selection after the MLS Secondary Window opened on Thursday. DC just fired their head coach, and may experience somewhat of a new manager bounce, but this is a winnable game for the Verde and Black, and nothing short of 3 points is expected.
DC United takes on Austin FC this Saturday at Audi Field as they try to end an eight-game winless streak in all competitions. Austin is unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 MLS matches. DC sits 14th in the Eastern Conference, looking to come back and make a late push for the playoffs, while Austin sits 8th in the West, 2 points above the playoff line. DC will be relying on Christian Benteke’s presence up front as he finally got back on the scoresheet in their previous match against Columbus. DC is still with interim head coach Kevin Flanagan, as no update has been given on Rene Weiler’s visa permits, but coaching chaos aside, the big question remains: can DC United finally get a much-needed 3 points in this inter-conference clash at home? Let’s hope so. VAMOS UNITED!
This Matchup will be just the 3rd ever meeting between these two cross-conference clubs. Austin FC has the series lead with 2 wins out of the previous 2 matches. Both sides have had difficult seasons thus far, with DC definitely having the worse of the two, so the opportunity is there for a third win from three. Many Austin FC fans will remember the 2022 edition in DC, where Austin FC’s now unofficial mascot, Pollo, was not let in the stadium, but after 80 minutes of play, and multiple front office scuffles, Pollo was let in. The score was 2-0 in favor of DC, but with the power of Pollo behind them, Austin FC pulled off one of their most memorable comebacks in club history, winning 3-2 after a late Ruben Gabrielsen equalizer.
A big thanks to DC United Latest for writing the DC United portion of this preview. Check them out here: instagram.com/dcunitedlatest
Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the match can be streamed on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.