Nicky Beloko: Analyzing Every Aspect of Austin FC's Newest Player
The long-foreseen signing of free agent midfielder Nicky Beloko finally came early Monday afternoon. Originally linked with Austin FC on May 19th, it is believed that Austin FC had Beloko locked in before the season even kicked off, with Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell mentioning that Austin FC had a summer move done and dusted at the release party for this year’s home kit. Whether or not Beloko is that player is a question unlikely to be answered, but given the timing, it is more likely than not.
Austin FC picked up Beloko on a free transfer after his contract at Swiss side Luzern expired following the conclusion of their 2024/25 season. The Verde and Black have signed the Swiss & Cameroonian midfielder on a contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029. This contract makes him one of just three players to have a guaranteed contract length through 2028 alongside Nico Dubersarsky and Brandon Vázquez. There was some speculation that his salary may be low enough to have him on the supplemental roster or possibly bought down, but it was announced that he will occupy a senior spot, in addition to his international designation, for the remainder of this season at least.
Before joining Austin FC, Nicky Beloko began his career in the youth ranks of FC Sion in Switzerland before joining Fiorentina Primavera (U20) in mid-2018. He spent 2 years — split by a 1-year loan to Belgian side Gent — at the Italian side, winning 2 league titles, before joining Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax on loan, and eventually permanently, in 2021. After just one full season with Xamax, Beloko joined Swiss Super League (first division) side FC Luzern in 2022, where he spent 3 seasons and featured in 86 games. Over his 225-game career, Beloko has scored 17 goals and assisted 13 more, averaging a goal contribution every 1000 minutes.
Mainly playing as a box-to-box midfielder, Beloko also offers a lot in defense and transitional plays. Featuring for FC Luzern mainly at center-mid, but also at holding-mid, attacking-mid, and as a wide midfielder, Beloko is as versatile as they come. The quality of the Swiss Super League is similar, or just a little worse, than that of MLS, and with Beloko coming from a consistent top-half side in Luzern, surely he is here to take a starting spot. His size, physicality, and stamina all back that up. He will first be eligible to feature for Austin FC in their away match on June 26th against DC United, after the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on the 24th, and by mid to late July, he will likely be a frequent starter for the Verde and Black.
Out of all of Austin FC’s roster shortcomings, the midfielder is nowhere near the top of the list, and this signing doesn’t make much sense unless a departure is imminent. It has long been speculated that Dani Pereira or Owen Wolff would be on their way to pastures new when the time was right, with multiple million-dollar offers believed to have come in for them in the past, and with the signing of Nicky Beloko, that idea is once again on the minds of the fans, and likely something the front office will be taking a look at as well. With Owen Wolff hitting the salary cap at $0 per season until at least 2027 and only taking a supplemental spot, it would make a lot more sense to pawn off Dani Pereira and free up a senior spot and some significant cap space along with it.