Claudio Reyna is leaving New York City FC to become sporting director of 2021 MLS expansion club Austin FC, multiple sources tell The Athletic.



Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt tweeted on Tuesday night that the club had identified their inaugural sporting director and would soon announce the hire.



An Austin FC spokesperson commented, “it is extremely flattering for our Club to be linked with an experienced executive with the stature and global experience of Claudio Reyna.”



Reyna was entering the final year of his contract as NYCFC sporting director. Sources indicated in recent weeks that the former U.S. men’s national team midfielder and City Football Group, the global football conglomerate that owns NYCFC, were having difficulty making progress on a new deal. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman reported during the telecast of the LAFC-LA Galaxy playoff match last month that it was up in the air whether Reyna would return to the club in...