MLS transfer roundup: Driussi extends with Austin, RSL adds new defender | OneFootball

Only 11 days until the 2023 MLS season kicks off and teams are still making roster adjustments.

Inter Miami and Austin FC made sure key figures stayed put with contract extension, while Real Salt Lake signed Brayan Vera to strengthen their backline.

Here's all the MLS transfer news you missed...

1. Sebastian Driussi stays at Austin

Sebastian Driussi signs contract extension with Austin FC. / Jeremy Olson/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Austin FC have signed Sebastian Driussi to a contract extension through the 2025 Major League Soccer season with an option for 2026. The player enters his third season with the Verde & Black, tallying a total of 30 goals and 12 assists across 54 total MLS appearances. He’ll remain a Designated Player on the roster, after arriving in July 2021 from Russian Premier League side Zenit St. Petersburg as Austin’s attacking centerpiece."Sebastian is one of the most gifted and talented players in Major League Soccer. He’s a top-quality player and leader in our locker room. This contract extension is well-deserved, and we’re thrilled that he’s decided to make Austin his home for the foreseeable future," Austin head coach Josh Wolff said in a release. "I'm delighted to sign a new contract with Austin FC," Driussi said. "This club and community have made Austin feel like home for my family and me. I have big ambitions here both personally and for the team, and I’m excited to work with my teammates, Josh and the staff to achieve them."

2. Real Salt Lake acquires defender Brayan Vera

Brayan Vera joins RSL. / Maurizio Lagana/GettyImages

Real Salt Lake have acquired defender Brayan Vera from Colombian top-flight side America de Cali. He joins through the 2025 MLS season with options for 2026-27, via Targeted Allocation Money (TAM)."Brayan is yet another piece that provides depth and competition on our back line, as he is equally adept both on the left side as well as centrally," RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a release."We believe that Brayan’s path from Colombia to Italy and back to South America during his formative professional years have prepared him to be a key piece for our 2023 roster and beyond."Vera arrives with 69 games of professional experience since making his debut five years ago for Colombian side Leones. He’s also played across Italy’s top two divisions for Lecce and Cosenza, before returning to his home country in 2022 to play for America de Cali.

3. Drake Callender stays put

Drake Callender signs contract extension with Inter Miami CF. / Lauren Sopourn/GettyImages

Inter Miami have signed goalkeeper Drake Callender to a contract extension through the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026."We are pleased to sign Drake to a new contract. His development as a player in his first three years at the club has been fantastic and we are excited to see him continue leading the line for many years to come," chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said in a release."Drake had a very strong season last year and we are confident he will continue to be an integral member of the team as we work towards achieving our goals throughout the 2023 season."Callender served as the Herons’ starting goalkeeper throughout the 2022 campaign, inspiring a postseason appearance after earning the Eastern Conference’s number 6 seed.

4. Jalil Anibaba retires

Jalil Anibaba retires. / Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Defender Jalil Anibaba announced his retirement from football after 12 seasons in Major League Soccer. He will immediately transition to an off-the-field role, joining former team Nashville SC as the organization's first-ever club ambassador."The game of football has changed my life forever by taking me and my family to places we could have never envisioned on our own," Anibaba wrote in a farewell message posted on his Twitter account. "However, it's one that's come to an end as I announce my retirement from Major League Soccer."Anibaba first joined the league in 2011, standing as the ninth overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft. He became a start for the Chicago Fire, before going on to feature for the Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Nashville SC and the Columbus Crew. In total, he managed seven goals and 14 assists in  245 regular-season appearances."It is so great to have Jalil rejoin our NSC family," CEO Ian Ayre said in a press release."Jalil represents the first of our former players to come back to the club in a business role. His experience in our sport, our league, our club and our community make him the perfect ambassador for Nashville SC. Knowing how popular Jalil was as a team member and with our fans makes me feel sure he will quickly re-establish himself here and we could not be more excited about this appointment."