Minnesota United moved closer Tuesday to acquiring 18-year-old Uruguayan midfielder Thomas Chacon when it traded $50,000 in general-allocation money to D.C. United for one of its international-player roster spots.
Minnesota United clears way to sign 18-year-old Uruguayan star in biggest move to date
August 7, 2019 at 5:07AM
The trade gives the Loons the extra international slot they need to add Chacon, a promising, gifted player in what would be the team's most seismic transaction in three MLS seasons.
United will pay a $4 million transfer fee to obtain 70% of Chacon's rights from a Spanish team and his homeland Danubio team, SBIsoccer.com reported.
The current transfer window ends Friday. The Chacon signing is expected to be completed by the team as early as Wednesday.
United has bought down veteran striker Angelo Rodriguez's salary — with a $600,000 base and $667,188 guaranteed compensation — so it can transfer his designated-player slot to sign Chacon as their third and final such player, along with Darwin Quintero and Jan Gregus.
Also Tuesday, United loaned veteran goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth to USL Championship team Sacramento Republic FC, with the right to recall him any time.
The move will allow Shuttleworth, the Loons' starter in their first two MLS seasons, to get some game action in a season that former Premier Leaguer Vito Mannone has become the team's starting keeper. Rookie Dayne St. Clair becomes the backup now.
JERRY ZGODA
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Minnesota started only two strikers against Seattle, leaving Sang Bin Jeong and Joseph Rosales to provide the width behind Teemu Pukki and Kelvin Yeboah.
