AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin FC has signed its first designated player ahead of the club's inaugural season in 2021.
The club announced Monday morning that it has signed 26-year old Cecilio Domínguez, who will join as a transfer from Club Atlético Independiente of Argentina’s Primera División.
Domínguez, who scored 21 goals while playing for Club América of Liga MX from 2016 - 2019, will be on loan for the remainder of 2020 before joining Austin FC in 2021. He joins fellow Paraguayan Rodney Redes who was unveiled as Austin FC's first player signing last month.
"Cecilio is the type of player we wanted for our first Designated Player signing. He’s a young but experienced, attacking international who joins us from one of the biggest clubs in South America. His dynamic forward play will translate well to MLS," commented Josh Wolff, Austin FC Head Coach. "He is an attacking player well known to Liga MX fans, with a broad skillset, good movement off the ball and the ability to come inside and create scoring opportunities by himself. He can score with both feet and his head, and he is a true team player. His club experience in Mexico, Paraguay, and Argentina, alongside his national team history with Paraguay, adds a significant threat to our forward line. He’s a player fans will be pleased to see when we start play in 2021."
"Austin FC is building a very special Club in an amazing city, and I’m honored that I’ll be part of Austin FC’s inaugural roster," Domínguez said. "I’m excited about the move to Austin, and I look forward to working with Josh Wolff and the team as we head into our first season."
Domínguez then transferred to Club América in Liga MX, scoring on his debut against Veracruz. He went on to accumulate 74 league and cup appearances and 21 goals with Club América, being crowned Liga MX Apertura Champion in 2018. While with Club América, Domínguez competed in four CONCACAF Champions League matches, scoring three goals. In 2019, Domínguez was signed by Argentina’s Club Atlético Independiente, becoming the club’s record signing. In the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Domínguez made 29 league and 13 cup appearances, scoring eight goals. To date in his professional career, Domínguez has scored 73 goals and registered 288 Club appearances in league and cup competitions.
Domínguez’s international career began with Paraguay’s Under-17 team in 2010. He then progressed to the Under-20 team in 2013, tallying one goal in 12 appearances. In 2014, he made his Paraguayan senior team debut against South Korea. Domínguez has been capped at senior international level 17 times to date.
Austin FC is set to begin play in 2021 as the 27th club in Major League Soccer.