Austin FC signs Designated Player Tomás Pochettino

Austin FC continues to strengthen their roster with newest addition Tomás Pochettino, an attacking midfielder and transfer from Club Atlético Talleres in Argentina's Primera División.

According to Talleres, Pochetino's contract was $2.5 million. Pochettino was signed as the team's second Designated Player due to his attacking mindset, said Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff.

"Tomás is an exciting and attack-minded midfielder we have been monitoring for some time. He has the technical and tactical qualities we are looking for in a Designated Player," Wolff said. "He will offer us pace and versatility in the midfield, and we are confident he will make an immediate impact on our attacking end."

Pochettino appeared in 62 matches with Club Atlético Talleres, scoring seven goals and 10 assists in his four-year tenure. Before the club, Pochettino started his career at the Boca Juniors U-20 team, followed by Boca Juniors II in 2014. Pochettino then helped the Boca Juniors first team to win the Argentine Primera División in 2015 and was loaned to Defensa y Justicia, where he made 51 appearances, scored four goals and made five assists.

Pochettino said that he was happy to make the move to the MLS and join Austin FC for its first-ever season.

"I am very happy and excited to wear Austin FC's jersey this season and be part of their inaugural campaign in MLS, a league that has shown continuous growth throughout the years," Pochettino said. "I look forward to doing my best on the field and repaying all the trust the Club has put in me."

Austin FC has now brought their inaugural roster to 25 players out of a possible 30 member roster. Pochettino is the club's seventh midfielder and second Designated Player after forward Cecilio Dominguez signed in August 2020.