TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Trade
Expansion side LAFC announced a big addition for their backline on Sunday, completing a trade with FC Dallas to bring in defender Walker Zimmerman. In exchange, Dallas will receive $250,000 in General Allocation Money and $250,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.
LAFC and Dallas also swapped places in the Allocation Order, with Dallas taking LAFC's No. 1 spot and LAFC moving down to No. 11.
In a separate trade, LAFC acquired a 2018 international roster slot from Atlanta United in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
“Adding a physical and athletic defender was essential for us,” LAFC general manager and executive VP of soccer operations John Thorrington said in a team statement. “Walker has an incredibly bright future and brings impressive MLS experience to Los Angeles. We’re excited to be a part of his continued development on and off the field.”
Zimmerman, 24, was originally selected by Dallas in the first round (7th overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and has appeared in 89 career regular season matches (71 starts), recording seven goals and one assist over five seasons.
“Walker is a talented young defender who will play an important role in our team,” LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said. “He’s a strong defender and a good passer out of the back. I love his mentality and want to see him develop into a real leader.”
The 6-foot-3, 192-pound center back helped FC Dallas to the 2016 Supporters’ Shield and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles, starting regular-season 30 matches, scoring four goals and playing a team-high 2,700 minutes. In his first three MLS campaigns, Zimmerman started just 23 games combined before his breakout 2016 season. He appeared in 22 games in 2017 despite missing time with a right knee injury.
“There is something special about being a part of this project from season one,” Zimmerman said. “I look forward to helping create a winning culture at LAFC and setting high expectations within our locker room. I can’t wait to represent the Black and Gold and compete every day for the city of Los Angeles.”
