Veteran centerback Matt Hedges is on the move once again.
Austin FC acquired Hedges in a trade with Toronto FC, both clubs announced Wednesday. TFC will receive up to $475,000 in total General Allocation Money (GAM) over the next two years.
Hedges has signed a new contract with Austin FC through the end of the 2024 MLS season with options for 2025-26.
“Austin FC is a growing organization with everything in place to be successful,” Hedges said in a club release. “I’m excited to join the team and can’t wait to get started.”
Hedges returns to Texas after previously starring for FC Dallas from 2012-22. The 2016 MLS Defender of the Year is Dallas’ all-time appearance leader, while also earning two MLS Best XI nominations.
The 33-year-old spent close to eight months with TFC after joining as a free agent last December. He’s been reduced to only 14 appearances this year while also missing time due to injury.
Hedges’ arrival comes on the same day that Austin FC waived fellow defender Amro Tarek.
Here is a closer look at the latest MLS News:
Nashville SC adds Sam Surridge as Designated Player
Nashville SC added its third and final Designated Player on Wednesday in the form of a physical striker.
Sam Surridge joined the Eastern Conference club from English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, the clubs announced. The 24-year-old will join Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman as DP’s on Nashville’s roster.
A former England youth international team forward, Surrides has signed through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027.
Surridge arrives in Tennessee with 52 goals and 18 assists under his belt in 213 professional appearances. He featured for Nottingham Forest, AFC Bournemouth, and Stoke City, as well as several other English-based clubs.
“Sam is an athletic striker who is clinical around the goal,” general manager Mike Jacobs said in a release. “He fits our club DNA and has proven his ability to influence winning with his integral role in Nottingham Forest gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2022. We are excited about this next chapter of his career here in Nashville.”
LAFC acquires Filip Krastev on loan
Defending MLS Cup winners Los Angeles FC bolstered its squad on Wednesday.
Bulgarian international midfielder Filip Krastev has joined LAFC on loan from Belgian second-tier side Lommel SK, the club announced. The 21-year-old’s loan spell runs through June 2024 and includes a purchase option.
“Filip is an incredibly talented midfielder whose dynamic qualities and technical ability fit well within our game model,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said in a release. “We are excited to welcome Filip to LAFC as he takes the next step of what I am confident will be a successful career.”
Krastev is coming off a strong loan spell at Bulgarian side Levski Sofia, where he totaled 12 goals and 11 assists in 56 matches across all competitions. He has also earned 11 caps with the Bulgarian national team, featuring prominently in UEFA Nations League play and European qualifiers.
His arrival comes during Jose Cifuentes’ rumored departure to join Scottish Premiership club Rangers.
Earthquakes add Ayo Akinola on loan from TFC
Luchi Gonzalez added a young forward to his squad for the remainder of the MLS season.
Ayo Akinola made the move to the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, joining on loan from Toronto FC for the rest of 2023. TFC received a 2023 international roster slot as part of the deal.
San Jose also holds a purchase option for Akinola, which would carry through the 2024 season.
The 23-year-old registered 15 goals and two assists in 78 regular season appearances. He joins a dynamic Quakes attack which also features Jeremy Ebobisse, Cade Cowell, and Cristian Espinoza.
“Ayo is a dynamic attacker with the strength, pace and finishing ability to impact any match,” Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch said in a release. “Ayo has already made a mark in Major League Soccer, becoming the third youngest player in MLS to score a hat trick in 2020. We are excited to welcome a player of Ayo’s caliber to San Jose while adding to the Quakes front line depth.”
San Jose sits sixth in the Western Conference while TFC is 14th in the East.
LAFC re-signs defender Eddie Segura
LAFC retained one of its key defensive pieces for the near future.
Eddie Segura was signed through the 2024 MLS season, LAFC announced Wednesday. The deal also comes with club options through 2026.
“Eddie has been a top-class player and person for LAFC since his arrival in 2018,’” said LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington. “This contract renewal is deserved recognition of his professionalism and commitment to LAFC, and we are excited to have Eddie continue his career in Black & Gold.”
Segura last played for LAFC in October 2022 after the Western Conference club defeated rivals LA Galaxy in the Conference Semifinals. The 24-year-old is recovering from a tear in his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that required two surgeries in the offseason to repair.
He is currently in his sixth season with the club, totaling 100 appearances, three goals and five assists across all competitions. Segura was in the midst of an LAFC record 72-consecutive regular season appearances before being sidelined with an ACL injury in July 2021.
He helped LAFC bring home the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2022.