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New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo has been traded to Chivas USA for defender Heath Pearce, allocation money, and other considerations, Fox Soccer reported on Thursday.
The Red Bulls will receive what sources told Fox Soccer is a "significant amount of allocation money" as well as having Chivas USA pay a portion of Pearce's salary. The Red Bulls also secured a portion of any future transfer fee Chivas USA would generate from a future sale of Agudelo.
Agudelo became expendable after the emergence of Kenny Cooper as a viable forward alongside Thierry Henry, and trading him has bolstered the Red Bulls defense with the addition of one of the best fullbacks in MLS. Pearce should slide into the starting lineup at left back, where he should replace the inconsistent and injury prone Roy Miller.
The Red Bulls have also secured a big chunk of money to help the team go after more players this summer. The team still has an available Designated Player slot.
The trade is a big boost for Chivas USA, which adds a marketable young star and a forward who could help boost a struggling offense. The deal also reunites Agudelo with former Red Bulls teammate and mentor Juan Pablo Angel.
Agudelo and Pearce won't have to wait long to see their former clubs. The Red Bulls and Chivas USA play at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
What do you think of this deal? Happy with what the Red Bulls received for Agudelo? Think the Red Bulls are crazy for trading away a young star?
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