Austin FC announced today that they have signed free agent midfielder Ilie Sánchez to a one-year contract lasting through the end of the 2025 season, with an additional option for 2026.
“In speaking with Rodolfo and Nico about their plans for the upcoming season, it quickly became clear that signing with Austin FC was the best choice for me,” said Sánchez.
“I want to thank them for this opportunity and look forward to playing at Q2 Stadium as a member of the home team for the first time.”
Sánchez is an experienced MLS player, having played for eight years. He spent the last three seasons with Los Angeles FC and the previous five seasons with Sporting Kansas City.
Some of his major career achievements in MLS include being selected for the All-Star team in 2018 and 2022, winning the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield titles in 2022, claiming U.S. Open Cup titles in 2017 and 2024, and being named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2017.
Sánchez was also the captain of LAFC and scored the winning penalty in the 2022 MLS Cup Final. He has played 262 MLS regular season and playoff games, accumulating over 20,000 minutes in the league.
“Ilie has been one of the league’s top defensive midfielders in recent seasons,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell. “His quality, experience, and leadership will make him an excellent addition to our group.”
Sánchez was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, and played for FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a young player. He advanced through the youth levels and made 114 appearances for Barça B. Sánchez moved to 1860 Munich in Germany’s 2.
Bundesliga in 2014, playing one season there before going on loan to Elche CF in Spain’s LaLiga 2 for the following season. Sánchez joined MLS in 2017, signing with Sporting KC.
Sánchez was a finalist for the 2024 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award and won Sporting KC’s Humanitarian of the Year award in both 2019 and 2021 for his advocacy and support of the Special Olympics’ Unified Teams. In June, he wrote a piece in The Players’ Tribune about the importance of LAFC’s Unified Team.
Sánchez will take a Senior roster spot on the Austin FC team. He is a U.S. citizen and will not occupy an international slot.
