Austin FC announced today that the Club has signed defender Nico Van Rijn to a Short-Term Agreement from its MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Austin FC II. Van Rijn will be available for selection for Austin’s MLS away match against Colorado Rapids on Saturday, June 7. Van Rijn signs his second Short-Term Agreement this season.
Van Rijn signed for Austin FC II in July 2024 and has made 20 appearances (19 starts) in MLS NEXT Pro to date, recording a goal and an assist. A dual citizen of Spain and the Netherlands, he came through the youth ranks at CF Damm before beginning his senior career with Lleida Esportiu in 2020. He then had stints at Algeciras CF and Recreativo Granada, scoring his first professional goal in December 2023 in a match vs. Atlético Madrid B.
Per the 2025 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, a club may sign a player, age 25 or younger during the league season, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) to a maximum of four Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) each season (maximum of 16 days). An individual player may be included on up to four (4) MLS league season match rosters each season, however, that player may appear in no more than two (2) MLS league season matches. An individual player may appear in any number of non-league games during the terms of his four (4) Short-Term Agreements.
