AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Bold FC announced on Tuesday the signing of French defender Fabian Garcia and Chilean defender Jorge Troncoso for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.

“The arrival of Fabien and Jorge brings even more of the international soccer flavor that we are looking to bring to this franchise and the Austin soccer community,” said Austin Bold FC General Manager Roberto Silva. “It’s high-level soccer in our own backyard.”

Garcia spent last season with Nîmes Olympique in France, helping the club finish second in Ligue 2 to secure promotion to Ligue 1 of the French Football Federation for the first time since the 1992-93 season. The 24-year-old began his playing career with US Colomiers in 2012 before signing with Ligue 1 club EA Guingamp for the 2014-15 season. Garcia played with CS Sedan-Ardennes in 2015, appearing in 26 matches and scoring two goals, before joining Nîmes Olympique the following year. A native of Colomiers, France, Garcia has appeared in 87 matches and scored four goals during his professional career.

Troncoso arrives in Austin after spending 2018 with Deportes Milipilla of the Campeonato Primera B in Chile. The 26-year-old began his career with Chilean Premier League powerhouse Colo-Colo, helping the club’s U-17 side to the Tournament of Gradisca Championship in 2010 before making his debut with the senior team in 2011. Troncoso started a two-year stint with Universidad de Concepción in 2015, then played a season each with Deportes La Serena and Deportes Melipilla. The Santiago, Chile native has made 97 appearances and netted six goals in his professional career.

MONARCHS ADD ETOUNDI, GERMAN: Real Monarchs SLC followed Monday’s appointment of Head Coach Martin Vasquez with the announcement of the club’s first new signings of the offseason, with forward Lionel Abate Etoundi and midfielder Damian German joining the club for the 2019 USL Championship season. Etoundi’s signing is pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), while both signings are awaiting league and federation approval.

Etoundi joins the Monarchs having spent time with the Cameroon U-17s, U-20s and U-23s beginning in 2015. In 2018, Etoundi has spent most of his time on the international stage with the U-23 side where he has made the greatest impact for his country.

“This year I made my decision to evolve as a player with the Real Monarchs,” Etoundi said. “In reality, Real Monarchs is a club where I see an excellent beginning of my career. That is why I decided to sign and serve with honor and bravery for this big family which is giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents. I am honored to be a part of this team at such a big club.”

“Lionel made his way on our radar after his performances with the Cameroon U-20 and U-23 teams,” said Monarchs General Manager Dan Egner. “He will be a nice compliment to the other forwards we have at the club, and at such a young age, we are excited to see how he develops throughout the season while on loan with us.”

German joins the Monarchs as a former member of the RSL Academy (AZ), where in 2013 he helped RSL claim the U-15/16 National Championship. As a senior at the RSL Academy, the Phoenix native scored 31 goals in 40 matches, topping the charts as the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s leading scorer. German then went on to feature for Grand Canyon University for three seasons, totaling 11 goals in 53 appearances for GCU. Transferring to San Diego State University prior to the 2018 season, German notched five goals in 18 appearances for the Aztecs in 1,355 minutes played.

“I’m honored and excited to receive this opportunity with the Monarchs,” said German. “This club means a lot to me. It made me the player and person that I am today. I’m excited to be able to play for the jersey once again.”

“We’re excited to welcome Damian back to the RSL family,” Egner said. “He had a very productive and impressive college career at Grand Canyon and San Diego State, and we jumped at the opportunity to sign him. He gives us another attacking option on the wings as well as up top centrally, and based on what he has shown throughout his college career, we expect Damian to contribute to the Monarchs from day one.”

ATENCIO JOINS PRO RANKS WITH S2: Josh Atencio became the latest player to join the professional ranks with Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Tuesday, inking his first professional contract after competing for the side last season as an Academy signing. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

The 16-year-old Sounders FC Academy product scored one goal in two appearances for S2 in 2018, including one start. Atencio was part of the Sounders FC Academy U-17 squad that won the 2017-2018 USSDA National Championship in July. The signing brings S2’s roster to 16 players for 2019.

“Josh is another talented product of our Academy,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development Marc Nicholls. “He leads by example and is an extremely popular character amongst his peers. Josh made a great impression in limited action for S2 last season, and we’re excited to see what he can do over the course of a full season.”

Atencio made his professional debut on August 19 at Portland Timbers 2 and scored the team’s lone goal. He made his first career start less than a week later at OKC Energy FC. The Bellevue, Washington native scored two goals in 26 games across all competitions last season in USSDA and USL Championship play.