FC Dallas announced today that it has signed winger Alan Velasco to a four-year Young Designated Player contract extension starting in 2025 with a one-year club option. Velasco obtained a US Green Card in March of 2024.
Velasco made his 2024 regular season debut on Aug. 31 versus the Colorado Rapids after spending the majority of the 2024 season recovering from a knee injury sustained in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs first-round match against the Seattle Sounders.
In 2023, Velasco received his first national team call-up with Argentina. FC Dallas acquired Velasco for a then club-record fee from Argentinian side Club Atlético Independiente in February 2022.
3rd Degree’s Take
It’s fantastic to see the young Argentine re-up with FC Dallas with all the rumors constantly swirling of clubs in his homeland looking to buy him. With A deal through 2028 with an option year, Velasco seemingly could be in Dallas for a long time.
But big talent draws big money, like all players, there is a price at which FCD will sell him. However, the length of the deal and its (likely) value mean his price just went up. It will take a really serious offer to get FCD to part ways now.
2024 will be the final season Velasco will be a Youth DP since he turns 23 next summer.
With Arriola and Ferreira rumored to go to Seattle it looks like they plan on running a 4-2-3-1 with Velasco and Musa up top. It wouldn’t surprise me if they go for the two DP and 4 u-22 designation for 2025.
I’m with you, that won’t surprise me either.