Austin FC acquires Serbian center back to help bolster back line

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A day after Austin was the focal point of Major League Soccer as All-Star Game hosts, Verde and Black went out and got some help at center back.

Austin FC completed a transfer for 22-year-old defender Mateja Djordjevic from FK TSC Bačka Topola in Serbia, the club announced Thursday. He’s under contract through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029, and his salary designation falls under the U22 Initiative, so it will have a minimal salary cap hit.

“As I continue to grow in my young career, I’m very excited for this chance to join Austin FC and test myself abroad,” Djordjevic said. “I want to get to Austin as soon as possible to help the team during the push for the playoffs this season.”

He spent a pair of seasons with FK TSC, making 51 appearances with the Serbian Super Liga side. He’s played in some big European tournament matches, including two UEFA Champions League qualifiers, two UEFA Europa matches and seven UEFA Conference League matches.

He’s also made 15 appearances for Serbia at the youth level, most recently with the U21 team.

“Mateja is a highly-rated defender who, at a young age, has already gained a good amount of professional experience in the Serbian top division,” Austin sporting director Rodolfo Borrell said. “He has a lot of potential and we’re happy to have him take the next step of his career with us in Austin.”

Austin (8-8-6, 30 points) is currently eighth in the Western Conference. They’ll face D.C. United on Saturday at Audi Field.