TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
Minnesota United made a striking move on Friday, announcing that Costa Rican international and Loons captain Francisco Calvo has been traded to the Chicago Fire for $400,000 in allocation money spread across this year and next, with performance clauses that could add another $125,000 to the total. Minnesota also retain considerations for a percentage of any potential future transfer of the player outside of MLS.
A World Cup veteran and 2018 MLS All-Star, Calvo, 26, was one of Minnesota's first acquisitions in their MLS era. He played center back for much of the Loons' first two seasons in the league but more recently shifted to left back.
He played the full 90 minutes in the Loons' first six matches of 2019, but received a red card in their 4-3 comeback loss at Toronto FC on April 19 and did not dress for last week's 1-0 win over D.C. United. Afterwards head coach Adrian Heath explained that he “didn’t want any negativity about the group,” adding that Calvo was “obviously disappointed, and I thought it would be better if we left him out all together” amid reports of locker-room unrest after the TFC loss.
Calvo logged 60 regular-season appearances in all for MNUFC, scoring five goals and four assists.
“Acquiring Francisco’s talents and character is a big plus for our club,” said Fire president and GM Nelson Rodrίguez in a statement. “He is a versatile defender with international experience in the prime of his career. He is familiar with MLS and has demonstrated a competitive mentality that should fit well with our group.”
The Costa Rican international has earned 46 caps for Los Ticos since making his senior team debut in 2011. The defender featured in two matches at the 2018 World Cup, playing 90 minutes against Serbia before coming on as a sub against Brazil.
