Austin FC announced on Tuesday that the Club has signed goalkeeper Damian Las to its Major League Soccer (MLS) roster. ATXFC had also acquired Las’ Homegrown rights via a trade with Chicago Fire FC in exchange for a swap of the clubs’ natural 2022 MLS SuperDraft second round selections and conditional allocation money should Las meet certain performance-based metrics.
Las (pronounced “LAH-s”) joins the Verde & Black as a transfer from Fulham FC of the EFL Championship. Las spent the 2021 season on loan with North Carolina FC of USL League One, where he made two (2) starts. As a United States youth international, Las represented the U.S. at both the U17 and U15 levels.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Austin FC,” said Las. “Everything I’ve heard about the Club, its vision, and the unbelievable support it has throughout the city is incredible. I can’t wait to get started in the Verde and Black.”
A native of Des Plaines, Illinois, Las joined the Chicago Fire FC Academy in 2016. As a member of the U.S. U17 Men’s National Team, Las recorded three (3) shoutouts in five (5) matches at the 2019 Concacaf U17 Championship on the way to helping the U.S. qualify for the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup, and started one (1) match at the U17 World Cup.
“Damian is a very good young goalkeeper,” said Austin FC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna. “We look forward to welcoming him the Club and seeing how he can grow and develop in the coming years. He’s another strong addition to the team for 2022 and beyond.”
Las joined Fulham FC in September 2019 and initially competed with the English club’s U18 side before appearing for its U23 side in the Premier League 2.
Transaction: Austin FC completes a transfer for goalkeeper Damian Las, who signed a two-year deal with the Verde & Black with two (2) additional club options. Austin FC acquires the Homegrown rights for Damian Las in exchange for future cash considerations in a trade with Chicago Fire FC.
Player Details:
Name: Damian Las (pronounced “DAE-mee-en LAH-s”)
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’1”
Date of birth: April 11, 2002
Age: 19
Hometown: Des Plaines, Illinois
Nationality: United States
Last club: Fulham FC
How acquired: Signed as a transfer from Fulham FC on January 25, 2022.
Roster Designation: Homegrown
