Official : 2017 MLS Defender Of The Year Eligible For Eagles Joins Minnesota United

Published: January 29, 2019

2017 Major League Soccer Defender Of The Year, Ike Opara has been acquired by Minnesota United via trade with Sporting Kansas City, informs the official website of The Loons.

MNUFC traded away $900,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and up to $100,000 in future TAM considerations.

Opara pocketed $342,000 as salary in his final season with Sporting Kansas and had earlier asked the club to give him a raise or trade him.

''We’ve been laser-focused on adding starters in key positions of need this offseason and we feel that Ike [Opara] is an excellent addition to a really good core group of defenders already on our roster,'' said MNUFC Sporting Director Manny Lagos.

''He provides a wealth of MLS experience — he is coming off of two great years. We are thrilled to add his quality and leadership to our roster.''

Although Opara has caps for United States U20, U23 and senior national teams, he remains eligible to suit up for the Super Eagles.

Apart from the aforementioned team, the 29-year-old lists Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Cary Clarets and San Jose Earthquakes as his former employers.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : mnufc.com