AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Bold FC announced on Wednesday the club had signed Saudi Arabia international Faris Abdi and Valeri Saramutin for the 2019 season, pending league and federation approval.

Abdi currently plays for FC Lausanne-Sport in the Swiss Challenge League; Saramutin arrives from FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg of the Russian National Football League and played four seasons with the Russian youth national teams. Both players were born in the United States and hold dual citizenship, and join the club’s previously announced signings Kléber, Marcelo Saragosa and Edson Braafheid.

“We are excited to bring these talented players back to the United States to play professionally,” said Bold FC Head Coach Marcelo Serrano. “Faris is a technical player who plays with physicality and understands the game very well. Valeri is a mobile midfielder with tremendous leadership ability. We are thrilled to have both on board here in Austin.”

Abdi has appeared in all three of Lausanne’s preseason matches, notching a pair of assists in 135 minutes of play, and will play with the club through the conclusion of this season. Born in San Diego and raised in Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, the 19-year-old played for the United States U18 National Team in June 2017, scoring twice in two matches, and appeared in a match with the Saudi Arabian U-23 squad before being called up to the national side and earning a cap against Ghana last October. 

Abdi returned to the United States in 2013 to attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where as senior he was named the 2016-17 IMG Academy Soccer Program Most Valuable Player. After graduating from IMG Academy, Faris attended the University of Virginia, starting the first nine games for the Cavaliers during his freshman season before his call-up by Saudi Arabia. In all, he appeared in 11 matches with 10 starts for UVA, scoring once and notching two assists in 811 minutes.