Austin FC boost defence by signing former New York City player

Austin FC (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
Austin FC (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)

Austin FC have signed former New York City FC defender Ben Sweat.

Austin FC have completed a deal to sign Ben Sweat.  The MLS new boys have boosted their squad by signing in the full-back, as announced by their official club website. They are gearing up for their first-ever season and will be pleased to have brought someone in with the experience of playing in a similar scenario.

Sweat, who is 29 years old, has spent the past year with Inter Miami so being part of a team in their inaugural campaign is nothing new to him. He will offer Austin some much-needed depth at the back and is a solid option for them at left-back.

The Texas-based club will be managed by Josh Wolff, who spent his playing career at Chicago Fire and Kansas City Wizards before going on to have spells as the assistant boss at DC United, Columbus Crew, and the USA national team. He has a point to prove as a number one and will be keen to make it a first season to remember for Austin.

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Sweat had stints at Columbus Crew and Tampa Bay Rowdies before New York City snapped him up in 2017.

Not many Blues fans knew much about him when he rocked up at the Yankee Stadium three years ago but he put in two solid seasons for them, making 77 appearances.

Inter Miami then came calling in November last year and he was part of the Herons side who finished 10th in the Eastern Conference.

Sweat is now embarking on a new chapter in his career at Austin and will be eager to make a positive impression.