Austin FC waives Emiliano Rigoni, buys out his contract
Emiliano Rigoni is no longer with Austin FC after the club put him on waivers and bought out his contract, the club announced Tuesday.
The news was first reported by The Athletic on Monday night.
Rigoni, an Argentinian who was signed with much fanfare on a transfer from Brazlian Série A club São Paulo in July 2022, largely disappointed with the club. He leaves Austin FC with six goals and six assists in 58 appearances.
One of the club’s designated players whose current salary is more than $2 million, the move is likely salary-driven as The Athletic reported he had a clause in his contract that automatically triggered for 2025 if he made 12 appearances this season. He started and played the complete match during Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Houston at Q2 Stadium, which was his 11th appearance of the season, and did not play in Saturday's 3-2 home win against Kansas City.
He can be claimed by any MLS team off waivers in the next 48 hours, but that team has to be willing to take on a portion of his salary against its cap.
The move allows Austin FC to pursue another designated player in the summer transfer window and opens up another international spot on the roster. Though the club will have to pay Rigoni for the rest of the year, being on the hook for between $940,000 to $1.2 million, his salary will no longer count against the team's cap.
Austin FC's next game is Saturday night at the San Jose Earthquakes.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC waives Emiliano Rigoni, buys out his contract
