A Superman sequel: Christian Ramirez signs with Austin FC through 2027-28 season
Verde's leading goalscorer in 2026 has committed to the club through the 2027-28 season. The veteran leader will turn 37 just before that season concludes.
Austin FC announced Friday that its best waiver wire pickup ever — forward Christian Ramírez, on the cusp of being the first double-digit scoring striker for a single season in club history — has signed an extension that will keep him Verde through the end of the 2027-28 season.
Ramírez, coming over from the LA Galaxy on waivers Feb. 27 to help reconcile that club's roster compliance issues, has scored nine goals and added two assists in his 2026 Verde campaign, standing as the team's leading goalscorer and third in goal contributions in just 1,238 regular season minutes. Based on just MLS goals, it's his most productive season since his league debut in Minnesota in 2017.
He's been consequential in recent performances; his brace in the Sept. 13 match at Vancouver delivered an improbable win, while his brace on Sept. 26 against San Diego fueled a three-goal comeback, allowing Verde to salvage a draw at home.
The 35-year-old, who will be 37 when his contract runs out, also infused veteran leadership into the Verde locker room upon his arrival. He scored on his Verde debut against D.C. United, describing his journey from L.A. to Austin as a relief after the limbo of being on waivers. "It's been hectic, but one thing with this game, it brings people together," he said of his arrival in Austin, insertion into the lineup, and instant impact.
Speaking to Austin media in early March, he saw his role as complimentary to Brandon Vázquez, the designated player striker with which he shares the "Superman" nickname.
"The best way to put it is, there'll be times where I'll need to wear the cape, and there'll be plenty of times where he needs to wear it. But I know personally ... in order for this team to get to where we know we want to be, we need Brandon at his full capacity. So if he needs to wear it the majority of time, no problem with it. And if I need to wear it here and there, so it draws some attention away from him, I'll do so. But I want him to come back as healthy and as strong as possible and be the Brandon that we know he could be in this league."
His press release quote was in line with his earlier messaging to media.
“At the start of this season, I didn’t know where I’d be playing. Looking back on it now, Austin FC was the perfect place for me to land,” said Ramírez. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to come in and make an impact both on and off the pitch. I know there are big things ahead for the club. It’s an amazing organization with amazing people and fans. I’m happy that my family and I will be staying in Austin.”
The press release quote from Austin FC chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad reinforces the positivity around the renewal.
“Christian has earned this new contract through his performances and the qualities he brings to our group every day,” he said. “He scores important goals, leads by example and brings the professionalism and character we want at Austin FC. We’re pleased to keep him here, and we believe he has an important role to play as we strengthen the team and raise our standards.”
He'll occupy a senior roster spot for at least the 2027 sprint season, after the arrangement with the Galaxy allowed Austin FC the advantage of him being on a supplemental roster spot in 2026. While Austin FC does not release salary information, his 2026 contract placed him on a level far above the threshold for the Galaxy to make him a supplemental player. (It was only due to Verde's bid to acquire Ramírez as just below the senior minimum salary threshold that allowed for the one-year cushion.
Ramírez is currently tied with Maxi Urruti for most goals by a striker in a Verde season with nine, matching Urruti's 2022 total. (Sebastián Driussi, technically a midfielder, still holds the club's single-scoring record with 22 goals, unlikely to be matched in the foreseeable future.)
He gets the next opportunity to add to his tally on Saturday night at Q2 in a rematch with the Whitecaps.
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, and join us on Instagram to get updates on all our stories and podcast releases.
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Austin FC announced Friday that its best waiver wire pickup ever — forward Christian Ramírez, on the cusp of being the first double-digit scoring striker for a single season in club history — has signed an extension that will keep him Verde through the end of the 2027-28 season.
Ramírez, coming over from the LA Galaxy on waivers Feb. 27 to help reconcile that club's roster compliance issues, has scored nine goals and added two assists in his 2026 Verde campaign, standing as the team's leading goalscorer and third in goal contributions in just 1,238 regular season minutes. Based on just MLS goals, it's his most productive season since his league debut in Minnesota in 2017.
He's been consequential in recent performances; his brace in the Sept. 13 match at Vancouver delivered an improbable win, while his brace on Sept. 26 against San Diego fueled a three-goal comeback, allowing Verde to salvage a draw at home.
The 35-year-old, who will be 37 when his contract runs out, also infused veteran leadership into the Verde locker room upon his arrival. He scored on his Verde debut against D.C. United, describing his journey from L.A. to Austin as a relief after the limbo of being on waivers. "It's been hectic, but one thing with this game, it brings people together," he said of his arrival in Austin, insertion into the lineup, and instant impact.
Speaking to Austin media in early March, he saw his role as complimentary to Brandon Vázquez, the designated player striker with which he shares the "Superman" nickname.
"The best way to put it is, there'll be times where I'll need to wear the cape, and there'll be plenty of times where he needs to wear it. But I know personally ... in order for this team to get to where we know we want to be, we need Brandon at his full capacity. So if he needs to wear it the majority of time, no problem with it. And if I need to wear it here and there, so it draws some attention away from him, I'll do so. But I want him to come back as healthy and as strong as possible and be the Brandon that we know he could be in this league."
His press release quote was in line with his earlier messaging to media.
“At the start of this season, I didn’t know where I’d be playing. Looking back on it now, Austin FC was the perfect place for me to land,” said Ramírez. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to come in and make an impact both on and off the pitch. I know there are big things ahead for the club. It’s an amazing organization with amazing people and fans. I’m happy that my family and I will be staying in Austin.”
The press release quote from Austin FC chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad reinforces the positivity around the renewal.
“Christian has earned this new contract through his performances and the qualities he brings to our group every day,” he said. “He scores important goals,
leads by example and brings the professionalism and character we want at Austin FC. We’re pleased to keep him here, and we believe he has an important role to play as we strengthen the team and raise our standards.”
He'll occupy a senior roster spot for at least the 2027 sprint season, after the arrangement with the Galaxy allowed Austin FC the advantage of him being on a supplemental roster spot in 2026. While Austin FC does not release salary information, his 2026 contract placed him on a level far above the threshold for the Galaxy to make him a supplemental player. (It was only due to Verde's bid to acquire Ramírez as just below the senior minimum salary threshold that allowed for the one-year cushion.
Ramírez is currently tied with Maxi Urruti for most goals by a striker in a Verde season with nine, matching Urruti's 2022 total. (Sebastián Driussi, technically a midfielder, still holds the club's single-scoring record with 22 goals, unlikely to be matched in the foreseeable future.)
He gets the next opportunity to add to his tally on Saturday night at Q2 in a rematch with the Whitecaps.
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, and join us on Instagram to get updates on all our stories and podcast releases.
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