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MLS Ticker: Harkes signs with D.C., Red Bulls trade rights to Najem and more

Photo by Andy Mead
Photo by Andy Mead

D.C. United have officially added their prized Homegrown prospect.

On Monday, D.C. United announced that the club has signed former Wake Forest star Ian Harkes to a Homegrown deal. The club was reportedly close to finalizing a deal last week before announcing the midfielder as the club’s ninth Homegrown player.

“I’ve known Ian nearly his entire life and have watched him develop into one of the nation’s best young talents,” head coach Ben Olsen said.  “He has all the tools to succeed at the next level and I look forward to being a part of his pro career.”

“We are thrilled to have reached an agreement to sign Ian as a homegrown player,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, added.  “He has developed into a high-level midfielder who has all the tools to be successful in MLS. We look forward to having Ian back wearing the United badge.”

The son of former D.C. United star John Harkes, the 21-year-old midfielder made 82 appearances for Wake Forest, scoring nine goals and providing 18 assists during his four-year stay. This past season, Harkes was named 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy winner.

Here are some more of Monday’s MLS news and notes:

GORDON ANNOUNCES MOVE TO RAPIDS

Alan Gordon continues to be one of the most difficult forwards to defend in MLS, and now he’s taking his talents to the club that knocked his most recent team out of the 2016 playoffs.

Gordon announced via Instagram that he is set to join the Colorado Rapids via a free agent deal. The forward spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with the LA Galaxy, helping the club win the 2014 MLS Cup.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPlXwfADMWW/?taken-by=alangordon9

The 35-year-old striker now joins a forward pool that includes Kevin Doyle, Shkëlzen Gashi and Dominique Badji.

RED BULLS REPORTEDLY TRADE RIGHTS TO NAJEM TO UNION

The New York Red Bulls continue to be one of the league’s more active teams when it comes to Homegrown signings, especially after signing a handful of newcomers last season. However, ahead of the 2017 season, the club has reportedly dealt an up-and-coming playmaker to the Philadelphia Union

According to Goal USA, the Red Bulls have traded the rights to Akron’s Adam Najem to the Philadelphia Union after failing to come to terms with the midfielder on a Homegrown deal. Najem was reportedly pushing for a contract worth at least $80,000 per season, but the Red Bulls offer of $51,500 did not escalate this offseason.

Najem scored 33 goals and provided 29 assists during his four-year stay at Akron.

QUICK KICKS

Dairon Asprilla is reportedly set to return to the Portland Timbers (READ)

Midfielder/defender Amobi Okugo will also reportedly re-sign with the Timbers (READ)

The New England Revolution are set to announce an international centerback signed using TAM, according to president Brian Biello. (READ)

Kennedy Igboananike is reportedly training with Swedish club AIK. (READ)

The Vancouver Whitecaps are reportedly set to sign Peruvian midfielder Yordy Reyna. (READ)

Orlando City has reportedly hired Tim Mulqueen as goalkeeper coach. (READ)

Orlando City signed U.S. Under-19 Men’s National Team midifelder Pierre Da Silva to the club’s first team from Orlando City B. (READ)

 

Comments

    • I think his mom took the phone away.

      I can’t wait for MLS to start…wide open season with quite a few question marks unanswered.

      Reply

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