Austin FC sign Gyasi Zardes to long-term deal

Gyasi Zardes is headed to Austin FC.

The team picked Zardes up from the free-agent market, signing him to a long-term deal through the 2025 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2026.

“We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Gyasi and his family to Austin, and we’re excited to add a player and person of his quality to our roster,” Austin sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a release.

“Gyasi has one of the most impressive resumés of any striker to have played in MLS and brings excellent goal-scoring and leadership to the team.”

The striker last featured for the Colorado Rapids, after a midseason trade from theColumbus Crew. He managed nine goals and two assists in 26 games for the Rapids, adding to his overall Major League Soccer tally of 97 goals and 25 assists across 267 regular-season appearances with the LA Galaxy, Columbus and Colorado.

Zardes played a key role in two MLS Cup-winning teams: the 2014 Galaxy and 2020 Crew. His involvement earned him the MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2018, after posting a single-season career-best of 19 goals. 

“I can’t wait to step out on the field at Q2 Stadium and represent both Austin FC and the community as a whole,” said Zardes. “I love the way Austin FC plays, and look forward to working with Claudio, Josh, and the rest of the team. This is a special moment for my family and me.”

During his run with the Crew, Zardes worked alongside current Austin FC manager Josh Wolff, who served as an assistant coach in Columbus.

“Having worked with Gyasi in the past, I couldn’t be more excited to have him join the team here in Austin,” said Wolff. “His quality, humility, and work ethic as a striker fit our system well, and it’s fantastic to add another player with his level of MLS success to our locker room.”

Zardes will join Austin in just their third ever MLS season, after debuting in 2020. The newcomers have already begun to make an impact on the league, concluding the 2022 campaign in second on the Western Conference with 56 points in 34 games before reaching the Western Conference final with MLS MVP runner-up Sebastian Driussi.

The 2023 campaign kicks off on February 25, giving Zardes plenty of time to adjust to his new side.