Jorge Alastuey has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Austin FC, officially graduating from the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side to the Major League Soccer first team. According to Austin FC, the 22-year-old midfielder became the first Aragonese player in league history when he made his MLS debut in March.
From Austin FC II to the First Team
The Zaragoza native arrived at Austin FC II during the winter transfer window of the 2024–25 season to begin competition in the United States, where league schedules run through the calendar year. Across a campaign and a half in MLS NEXT Pro, Alastuey recorded 19 goals and two assists across 39 appearances. As captain, he led the Texas-based reserve squad to the top of the Western Conference standings. According to club announcements, that performance earned him a permanent place on the senior roster after he completed the preseason and made two official league appearances.
Historical Context Among Spanish MLS Players
At 22 years old, Alastuey joins a small group of Spanish players who reached the North American top flight at a young age. Historical league data shows that only Angeliño, Oriol Rosell, Jon Bakero, and Sergi Solans debuted in MLS at a younger age, while Alastuey matches the arrival age of Hugo Bacharach and Riqui Puig. With this promotion, Alastuey stands as the 13th Spanish player active in MLS this season, joining fellow countryman Ilie Sánchez in the Austin FC locker room.
A Journeyman Development Path
Before arriving in Texas, Alastuey built a diverse resume across European academies and lower divisions. A product of the Real Zaragoza youth system, he moved to FC Barcelona’s base during his cadet years before continuing his development in the youth ranks of Italian side SSC Napoli. His senior career later took him to CD Teruel in Spain and ŁKS Łódź in Poland before his transfer to Austin FC II.
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