Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has traded forward Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution. In exchange for Kamara, the Black & Gold received General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, New England's highest First Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017, New England's highest Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2018 and one of New England's international roster spots for the 2016 season. Additionally, Crew SC will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Kamara should he be transferred to a club outside of MLS. The agreement was executed prior to the close of Major League Soccer's 1:00 a.m. ET transfer window today, Thursday, May 12.
“Kei had a memorable 2015 season and we recognize and understand how popular and productive he was, so this decision was not one we made lightly,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Our actions will always reflect the values of our club and we believe this transaction will improve our competitiveness this year and in future years.”
Kamara recorded 22 regular-season goals and posted 135 shots in 2015. He was named to the end-of-year MLS Best XI for the first time in his career. He was drafted by Columbus with the ninth overall pick in the First Round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft and went on to play for the San Jose Earthquakes (2008), Houston Dynamo (2008-09) and Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City (2009-13) in addition to England's Norwich City (2013) and Middlesbrough (2013-14) over his 11-year professional career.
The Black & Gold take on the Colorado Rapids in regular-season action this Saturday, May 14 (7:30 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream on ColumbusCrewSC.com).
TRANSACTION: Columbus Crew SC trades forward Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution on May 12, 2016 in exchange for General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, New England's highest First Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017, New England's highest Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2018 and one of New England's international roster spots for the 2016 season. Additionally, Crew SC will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Kamara should he be transferred to a club outside of MLS.
