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Austin FC makes it official: CJ Fodrey loaned to Falkirk FC
By Phil West profile image Phil West
2 min read

Austin FC makes it official: CJ Fodrey loaned to Falkirk FC

In the second of two timed Wednesday morning announcements, Austin FC confirmed an earlier report that CJ Fodrey is being loaned to Scottish club Falkirk FC. It goes through June 2027, with an option to recall him in January.

Jayden Nelson wasn't the only player seen saying goodbyes on Saturday night in the Austin FC locker room following the team's 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union. The only difference with CJ Fodrey's goodbyes, however, was the pledge, "I'll be back."

Austin FC announced Wednesday, confirming a report that first came out Monday afternoon courtesy of the North End Podcast, that Fodrey is being loaned to Falkirk FC of the Scottish Premiership.

Per the club, the loan agreement is through June 2027, includes a recall option for Austin in January 2027, and does not include a purchase option. That means, per the pending schedule change, that Fodrey could be brought in for the 2027 sprint season but would more likely be a roster decision for the 2027-28 season when the loan expires.

Fodrey, who joined the club as a Generation Adidas player selected 13th in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, has an opportunity to get more playing time at a level more representative of his talents than MLS Next Pro offers him.

In April 2025, the club signed Fodrey to a contract extension, locking him in for two additional guaranteed years, through the end of the 2027 season with options for 2028 and 2029 — before the 2027 season became the 2027-28 season.

Fodrey is best known in club lore for scoring the winning goal in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against Minnesota United FC, bringing Austin FC to its first-ever tournament final — which it got to host at Q2 Stadium.

Fodrey has appeared in 53 regular-season MLS matches during his career, though the vast majority came in short sub appearances. His last appearance with Verde was a start, though — in an unfamiliar wingback role against Seattle a week ago; that was also the most recent appearance for fellow outbound player Jayden Nelson

This may not be the last of the summer transfer moves: Both Micah Burton and Riley Thomas have been in limbo lately, largely absent from both first-team and second-team rosters, and are perhaps destined for loans themselves.

But also, for those encouraged by hints dropped in Tuesday's intro press conference for new chief soccer officer Kahled El-Ahmad that an incoming player might be on the way, the summer transfer window doesn't close until next Wednesday.

Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.

By Phil West profile image Phil West
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