Austin FC loan Tomas Pochettino to River Plate

Austin FC announced the club has loaned midfielder Tomas Pochettino to Argentine giants River Plate. Pochettino joins on a one-year loan deal with a purchase option. Per Club policy, financial terms of the deal will not be publicized.

Pochettino made 31 appearances for Austin FC during the 2021 Major League Soccer season, starting 26 games. He recorded two goals and two assists. 

The 25-year-old first joined Austin FC in February 2021 after spending his entire career in Argentina. He transferred to Major League Soccer from Talleres, previously playing for Defensa y Justicia on loan from Boca Juniors.

Pochettino came up through the Argentine giant’s academy before making his professional debut in 2015. The midfielder went on to occupy both a Designated Player and International roster designation for Austin during the 2021 season.

The move alleviates the club from their roster issues after Alexander Ring signed a contract extension that made him a DP and forced four players under that title. Major League Soccer only permits three Designated Players per roster. 

Cecilio Dominguez and Sebastian Driussi, alongside Ring, are now the second and third players listed under the DP status. 

The club will be looking to better their standings in 2022 after concluding last season in 12th place in the Western Conference with 31 points in 34 games and a poor record of 9-4-21.