Austin FC announced on Monday that the Club has signed Norwegian international defender Ruben Gabrielsen. Gabrielsen, 29, joins the Verde & Black on a two-year contract with an option for the 2024 season.
“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to join Austin FC and play at Q2 Stadium,” said Gabrielsen. “It’s an ambitious club, in a great city, with the best support in Major League Soccer. I can’t wait to contribute.”
A center back known for his technical ability, athleticism, and leadership, Gabrielsen (pronounced “GAHB-ree-el-suhn”) has experience playing in top European competitions for both club and country. While with Norwegian side Lillestrøm in 2009, Gabrielsen became the club’s youngest-ever player to debut in the Norwegian topflight at 17 years and 25 days.
Gabrielsen moved to Norwegian powerhouse Molde FK in 2014 and helped the team win both the Norwegian league and cup that season. Under then-Molde manager and former Manchester United great Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Gabrielsen earned the title of Molde club captain in 2017. Gabrielsen remained at Molde until the conclusion of the 2019 season, in which he won the Norwegian league for a second time. In total, Gabrielsen made 171 appearances across all competitions for Molde, including seven (7) appearances in the UEFA Europa League and recorded eight (8) goals and eight (8) assists.
Gabrielsen joined French side Toulouse FC in January 2020, making 50 appearances for Toulouse in the French first and second divisions before a loan move took him to Danish club FC Copenhagen in August 2021. Gabrielsen made seven (7) appearances with FC Copenhagen before returning to Toulouse upon the expiration of his loan deal in December 2021.
A senior international, Gabrielsen has made two (2) appearances for the Norwegian Men’s National Team throughout his career. Gabrielsen played 90 minutes and wore the captain’s armband from the 67th minute on in Norway’s 1-1 draw against Austria in a November 2020 UEFA Nations League match and then came on as a substitute in Norway’s 2-0 win over Montenegro in FIFA World Cup Qualifying in October 2021.
“Ruben is a natural leader and has all the physical attributes of a top-level center back in Major League Soccer,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “We look forward to welcoming him and his family to Austin. He’ll be a great addition to the team.”
Transaction: Austin FC has acquired defender Ruben Gabrielsen from Toulouse, who signed a two-year deal with an option for the 2024 season with the Verde & Black.
Player Details:
Full Name: Lunan Ruben Gabrielsen (pronounced “ROO-ben GAHB-ree-el-suhn”)
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Date of birth: March 10, 1992
Age: 29
Born: Lena, Norway
Nationality: Norway
Last club: Toulouse FC
How acquired: Signed on January 24, 2022.
Roster Designation: Senior, International
