Austin FC signed free agent midfielder Felipe Martins to a one-year contract Monday with an option for 2023.
The 31-year-old Brazilian, known as Felipe, brings 10 seasons of MLS experience to Austin.
“Felipe is a natural leader with a competitive spirit that will have a really positive impact on our team,” Austin sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a release. “His work in preseason has been great and we know he’ll be a strong addition to our Club culture as we continue to grow and improve.”
Felipe has 25 goals and 54 assists in 283 matches (248 starts) with CF Montreal (2012-14), New York Red Bulls (2014-17), Vancouver Whitecaps (2018-19) and D.C. United (2019-21).
“Austin have a clear objective which is bring an MLS Cup to this city that lives and breathes soccer. But to get there we need to show up everyday and prove ourselves,” Felipe said in a news release. “… I’m here to help us get to where we want to be and to play and represent this team and this community in the best way possible. It’s important to make everyone that supports Austin FC proud.”
Felipe helped Montreal win back-to-back Canadian Championships (2013-14) and helped the Red Bulls win the 2015 Supporters’ Shield.
Prior to moving to MLS in 2012, Felipe represented multiple clubs at the youth level in his native Brazil, and played his first seasons as a professional in Italy and Switzerland.
Austin opens the 2022 MLS season at home against FC Cincinnati on Feb. 26.
–Field Level Media