Austin FC signs 16-year-old Owen Wolff as club’s first MLS Homegrown Player

Austin FC announced the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Owen Wolff as an MLS Homegrown Player for the Club’s inaugural MLS season through 2025, with a one-year option.

Wolff becomes the youngest player to sign with Austin FC to date, as well as the first Homegrown Player to sign a contract with the Club. In accordance with Club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“This is a special moment for our Club and the Central Texas soccer community,” said Austin FC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna. “Owen is a talented young player with great character, and he’s worked very hard to prove his ability since he started training with us in the preseason. He earned this opportunity, and his signing is a great example of what the pathway to becoming a professional soccer player at Austin FC can look like for youth across the country.”

Wolff, who has been training with Austin FC’s first team since preseason and made his debut with the first team on July 13, 2021, in an international friendly against Liga MX side Club Tigres UANL at Q2 Stadium. The Snellville, Georgia, native made a substitute appearance and contributed an assist in Rodney Redes’ 62’ goal (1-1).

Prior to joining ATXFC, Wolff was part of Atlanta United’s reserve squad (2020) and played five (5) matches (five (5) starts) with Atlanta United’s U-16 squad during the 2019-20 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. He also made four (4) appearances (three (3) starts) with Columbus Crew’s Academy U-16 team (2018-19). Wolff is the second-oldest son of Austin FC head coach, Josh Wolff.

“Since the beginning of preseason Owen has demonstrated great ability, perseverance and soccer IQ,” commented Austin FC Captain Alex Ring. “We’re thrilled to see him earn a spot in the first team roster and look forward to seeing him develop his professional career.”

Homegrown Player status is a classification for certain players who have participated in a club’s Player Development Program and brings with it a variety of benefits, including being automatically protected in Expansion Drafts (up to age 25). Clubs can also use the Homegrown Subsidy provided by the league to supplement players’ salaries. More information about Homegrown Players can be found in the MLS Roster Rules & Regulations.

Transaction: Austin FC signs midfielder Owen Wolff as an MLS Homegrown Player through 2025 with a one-year option on September 9, 2021.

Owen Wolff Player Details
Name: Owen Wolff (pronounced “w-O-lff”)
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 33
Height: 5’8”
Born: December 30, 2004
Age: 16
Born: Snellville, Georgia
Nationality: United States
How acquired: Signed on September 9, 2021
Roster designation: Homegrown Player (HG)

(Photo Courtesy of Austin FC)