By TATE STEINLAGE
Former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens has been transferred to NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies five days after being acquired by the New England Revolution via MLS Waiver Draft.
Sources tell SBI that Pickens move to the Rowdies in a $150,000 transfer that will earn the Revs $100,000.
Pickens is coming off a season with the Colorado Rapids in which he suffered a broken arm that sidelined him for several months, costing him his starting role to current Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin.
Pickens had a guaranteed contract with MLS in 2014, sources tell SBI, and that status forced MLS to find a home for the veteran goalkeeper after the Rapids determined they would not bring him back in 2014.
The move is part of a multi-year deal that sends the 31-year-old veteran to Florida, voiding his guaranteed 2014 MLS contract after making $212,933 last season according to the MLS Players Union.
Pickens, an 11-year professional, joins a Rowdies side that captured the 2012 NASL championship, and is set to kickoff its 2014 campaign on April 12.
“This is a marquee signing that will add a great deal of quality and experience to our squad,” Rowdies general manager Perry Van Der Beck said. “Our goal is to win another championship this season, so we’re excited to have a player of Matt’s caliber on our roster. He brings 11 years of experience, having played over 150 games in MLS. His size and agility is imposing at his position, and I think he will be a great asset for us.”
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What do you think of the deal? Surprised to see an NASL team pay a transfer fee? Think there are MLS teams Pickens was good enough to start for?
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