Austin FC announced today the Club signed Chilean international forward Diego Rubio to its Major League Soccer (MLS) roster. Rubio joins the Verde & Black as a free agent acquisition on a one-year guaranteed contract through the end of the 2024 season with an option for 2025.
“From the perspective of a visiting player at Q2 Stadium, I experienced the incredible passion that Austin FC fans have for their team and their city,” said Rubio. “It’s one of the league’s best atmospheres and I can’t wait to play there for the first time as a member of the home team.”
Rubio (pronounced roo-bee-oh) began his career with Colo-Colo in his native Chile, and transferred to Portuguese giants Sporting CP in 2011 at the age of 18. He impressed as a young player with Sporting CP B, recording 22 goals and nine (9) assists in 52 appearances.
After loan spells in Romania and Norway, Rubio moved to Spanish second division side Real Valladolid CF in 2015, spending six (6) months there before joining Sporting Kansas City (SKC) on loan as a Designated Player in March 2016 at the age of 22.
Rubio signed a permanent deal with SKC in September 2016 and has since gone on to be one of the most prolific MLS strikers in recent years. During three (3) seasons with SKC and five (5) with Colorado Rapids, Rubio amassed 55 goals and 35 assists in 171 MLS appearances (including MLS Cup Playoff matches).
He won the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with SKC and enjoyed a career-best year with Colorado in 2022, tallying 16 goals and seven (7) assists.
“Diego is a proven goalscorer in MLS, and we believe his abilities fit well with the Club’s style of play,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell. “We want to wish him, his wife, and his four children a warm welcome to Austin.”
Rubio has made 12 career appearances for the Chilean Men’s National Team, most recently in March 2023. Though originally from Santiago, Chile, Rubio has held a U.S. Green Card since 2017 and will occupy domestic and senior designations on the Austin FC roster.
Transaction: Austin FC signs free agent forward Diego Rubio to its MLS roster on a one-year guaranteed deal through the end of the 2024 season with an option for 2025.
Player Details
Full name: Diego Iván Rubio Köstner
Known as: Diego Rubio
Pronunciation: dee-a-go roo-bee-oh
Position: Forward
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 5’10”
Date of Birth: May 15, 1993
Age: 30
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Nationality: Chilean
Roster Designation: Senior, Domestic
