United States international center back Ike Opara, who won the MLS Defender of the Year in 2017, is on the move. Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday that they have traded Opara to Minnesota United, receiving $900,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in exchange.
According to ESPN, if Minnesota manages to make the playoffs in 2019, SKC will receive another $100,000.
“We’ve been laser-focused on adding starters in key positions of need this offseason, and we feel that Ike is an excellent addition to a really good core group of defenders already on our roster,” – said Minnesota United’s sporting director Manny Lagos in a statement. “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.”
Ike Opara was interested in leaving Sporting Kansas City for some time now, being unhappy with his current contract. The 29-year-old was the third highest-paid defender on the team last season, making around $342K in guaranteed compensation, which was well behind Matt Besler’s $783,250) and Andreu Fontas’ ($1 million) contracts. Despite this fact, Opara was a started through the entire season and ended up asking the team to consider trading him if they don’t want to give him a better contract.
Ike Opara started his career in the lower tiers of U.S. soccer, before signing with San Jose Earthquakes in 2010. Two years later, he was dealt to SKC, where he became one of the team’s best and most reliable players. During his six seasons in Kansas City, Opara played 148 games and scored 15 goals.
Opara also has one cap with United States Men’s National Team, being part of the starting lineup in the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
