Austin FC has signed Rodney Redes as its first player for a transfer fee of $2.75 million.

Redes is a 20-year-old forward who can also function out wide.

Redes is on the books of Paraguayan side Guarani, and will remain with them before joining up with Austin ahead of its debut season in 2021.

"It is an honor to join Austin FC as the first player signing in club history, and I am excited for the opportunity to advance my career in Major League Soccer," said Rodney Redes.

"I look forward to representing Austin in competition and in the community. I've been watching Major League Soccer closely, and I am very excited to begin working with coach [Josh] Wolff to further develop my skills in a global league that has helped other Paraguayan players reach new heights."

"The words I use to best describe Rodney are versatility and impactfulness," Austin FC Head coach Josh Wolff said. "Rodney is a young player with qualities that can strongly influence any match as a result of his positional flexibility, eye for goal, and clear finishing quality.

"I am very pleased that we have secured a rising talent who demonstrates goal scoring ability in both the Copa Libertadores as well as his domestic league, and I believe that our supporters will appreciate his hunger and willingness to make Austin FC successful."