TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Colorado Rapids' offseason remodeling has actually caused a reunion, as the club revealed Monday they have actually gotten protector Sam Vines from Belgian top-flight side Royal Antwerp.
The United States guys's nationwide group left back initially left Colorado for Antwerp midway through the 2021 MLS season. Now, his brand-new offer lasts through 2027.
“We are exceptionally pleased to bring Sam back home to the Rapids. He is a remarkable gamer who has actually gotten important experience abroad in Europe, and we're enjoyed include his skills to our group,” stated Rapids president Pádraig Smith.
“His profession development and success at both club and global levels are a testimony to his quality, effort and the financial investment our club has actually made in establishing young regional gamers and our ‘Drive to Youth' viewpoint.”
The 24-year-old ended up being a Rapids' homegrown gamer ahead of the 2018 MLS project, producing 2g/4a in 53 matches before his transfer to Antwerp. He is a 2021 Gold Cup champ with the USMNT and has one objective in 9 caps.
At Antwerp, Vines tallied 2g/2a in 58 matches throughout all competitors. He fought injuries while in Belgium, suffering both a damaged collarbone and a damaged tibia.
“From our very first discussion, I understood Sam would be a perfect suitable for our system and design of play,” stated head coach Chris Armas. “His inspiration level is high, he's a winner, and he likes to assault both sides of the ball. It's similarly essential that Sam is likewise a modest, group guy that suits our club culture.”
Vines is Colorado's most current offseason finalizing with USMNT experience, following midfielder Djordje Mihailovic (transfer from AZ Alkmaar) and goalkeeper Zack Steffen (transfer from Manchester City). They've likewise included free-agent midfielder Omir Fernandez after his New York Red Bulls days and obtained both left back Miguel Navarro (from Chicago Fire FC) and midfielder Jasper Löffelsend (from Real Salt Lake) by means of intra-league trades, to name a few relocations.
This continuous lineup overhaul, which follows a last-place Western Conference surface in 2023, constructs towards a Feb. 24 regular-season opener at the Portland Timbers (10:30 pm ET|MLS Season Pass).
