Austin FC's shocking bet on Nicolás Dubersarsky | OneFootball

Austin FC plunged deep into the market and pulled out Nicolás Dubersarsky, an Argentine midfielder just 20 years old. He has signed for five years with an option to extend through 2030 through the U22 Initiative. Thus, Austin FC builds with a present mind but also investing in a promising future-a true move that shows what the MLS philosophy is about: giving room to young talents to blossom.

Youth with maturity beyond his years

Dubbersarsky arrives in Austin FC with quite the résumé for a player of his age. Still only 20, the midfielder has already made 25 appearances in Argentina's first division with Instituto. Austin's sporting director Rodolfo Borrell namechecked this maturity as one of the Argentine's strengths:

“We believe Nicolás is a promising midfielder with many tools to become an excellent player. But as he showed last season in Argentina's first division, he has a skill set that surpasses his age and can contribute immediately to our team”.

Those words make it clear that Dubersarsky wasn't signed to just learn; he's here to fight for a midfield position alongside Ilie Sánchez, also an offseason free-agency signing. For a club trying to find its solid identity in MLS, signing a player with potential now and growing year by year is strategic.

The strategic plan behind the signing

Utilizing the U22 Initiative to bring on Dubersarsky isn't some minor technicality, it's actually policy that enables MLS clubs to invest in young talents from outside the league without substantially hitting their salary budgets. This was one means for the league to attract international prospects, increase the competitiveness of the league, and create valuable assets for the future.

This signing is more than just a boost to the squad. It's also a chance for the club to brand itself as a showcase for South American talent. When Dubersarsky performs well, he would be not only strengthening the team, but also raising Austin FC's stock higher in the global soccer market.

How Dubersarsky feels about Austin FC and MLS

Dubbersarky seems to appreciate the magnitude of the opportunity he's been given: "As a young player, I have no doubt that going to Austin FC and competing in MLS is the best possible step for my career. I'm very motivated to give 100 percent in every practice and game for the club," he said in the official statement announcing the move.

That motivation will be big as he makes the jump from a South American league to MLS. The experience in Argentina's first division will help, but how he adapts to American soccer will be something to watch.

Immediate impact on Austin's midfield

Coming to Austin adds depth to their midfield-one that badly needed reinforcements after such a spotty 2024 season. Add that to the acquisition of Ilie Sánchez, and coach Nico Estévez finally has options to build up a competitive midfield.

Dubersarsky's profile describes him as a central midfielder who has been strong in recovery and at breaking up opposition offense with the ball into transition. Such versatility will help bring consistency in this very pressing Austin team during matches.