TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- DC receive: Brad Smith
- SEA receive: $750k GAM, 10% sell-on fee beyond MLS
UPDATE (Jan. 27) – D.C. United have acquired left back Brad Smith from Seattle Sounders FC in a trade for $750,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money, the clubs announced Thursday. Additionally, Seattle retain a 10% sell-on fee if Smith is transferred to any club outside of MLS.
Smith fills a left-back need for D.C. United, should the expected transfer of homegrown defender Kevin Paredes to German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg be completed.
“Brad’s physical attributes and work rate paired with the attacking mindset he carries make him an ideal player for our style and philosophy. As well as being an excellent defender, he’s a consistent contributor in the final third,” D.C. United general manager Lucy Rushton said in a release. “We believe with Brad’s introduction that we have the strongest complement of attacking fullbacks in the league. The quality of service that both he and Julian Gressel – who led all defenders last season in assists from his right wingback role – possess are a center forward’s dream, and will prove a constant goal threat for us going forward.”
Smith, 27, was part of Seattle's MLS Cup-winning team in 2019. But he was also against Cameroon international Nouhou and Jimmy Medranda on the Rave Green's depth chart, giving them flexibility for a move.
“We want to thank Brad for his four years of service in Seattle,” Seattle general manager & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey said in a release. “Since his arrival, he’s been a great member of our organization – on and off the field – and we wish him the best in the next chapter of his career."
ORIGINAL (Jan. 26) – D.C. United are in discussions to acquire Seattle Sounders FC left back Brad Smith for allocation money via a trade, according to The Washington Post’s Steven Goff.
The move would help fill a positional need for D.C. United, should the anticipated $7 million-plus transfer of homegrown defender Kevin Paredes to German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg go through.
For Seattle, allocation money would help alleviate any salary cap pressures as their 2022 squad prepares for another title push.
Smith, a 27-year-old Australian international, would bring MLS experience to the Black-and-Red’s backline with three goals and 11 assists in 63 appearances (49 starts) across four Rave Green seasons. The former Liverpool and Bournemouth defender was first on loan at Seattle before returning in September 2020.
An MLS Cup champion in 2019, Smith has earned 23 caps with Australia. But he could prove surplus to requirements in Seattle, with head coach Brian Schmetzer’s team also boasting Cameroon international Nouhou and Jimmy Medranda at the position.
D.C. United, entering year No. 2 under head coach Hernan Losada, would likely be a natural fit for the attack-minded Smith.
