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Austin FC has signed midfielder Jhojan Valencia (left) as its newest recruit. (Deportivo Cali/Twitter)
Austin FC announced the signing of 25-year-old Colombian central midfielder Jhojan Valencia on Thursday as the club continues to fill more holes in the roster heading into the 2022 season.
Austin FC signed Valencia to a three-year contract with an option to keep him through the 2025 season in one of the team's international slots. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Valencia's profile may ring a bell for some Austin FC fans—the news comes just over a week after the club announced that 25-year-old central midfielder Tomas Pochettino would return to his home country to play on loan with Argentinian side River Plate. Austin could see Valencia as a potential Poche replacement.
Valencia comes to Austin hot off of a 2021 league championship title after leading his team Deportivo Cali to Colombia's Category Primera A championships. A native of Cali, Valencia made 73 appearances for his home team from 2015 to 2021, registering two goals and taking home two league championships. From 2017-2019, Valencia went on loan for Colombian clubs Cucuta Deportivo and Union Magdalena, helping promote Union Magdalena to the top-flight league in 2019. Valencia has a grand total of 163 appearances with the three clubs.
After three years playing for his hometown, Valencia said in a press release that he's hungry for more trophies in a new city.
“I’m very excited to come to Austin,” Valencia said. “It’s such an amazing city, with great support for the Club and everything needed to compete for trophies. I want to thank Claudio and Josh for their support, and I look forward to all of the great moments ahead.”
The signing comes two days after Austin FC made three key signings in the MLS SuperDraft, including No. 5 overall pick Kipp Keller, the draft's best center back; left back Charlie Asensio and midfielder Michael Knapp.
At the onset of the offseason, Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said the team was looking for three to five more recruits to push them into playoff contention in 2022—and with the signings of Valencia, midfielder Ethan Finlay and striker Maxi Urruti, it seems like the Verde and Black are close to rounding out their roster.
Reyna said Valencia could help bring new energy to the pitch and help give Austin's strikers the chance to score goals.
“Jhojan is a young, talented midfielder with great defensive instincts and an eye for the ball,” Reyna said. “His presence will add a new dimension to our midfield and free up some of our more attack-minded players to get forward and create chances. We look forward to welcoming him to Austin."
The club will put their new and old players to the test for the first time in the home opener against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, Feb. 26.
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.