United announced Tuesday that it had finalized a deal with Kortrijk. Terms of the transfer were not disclosed, but a person familiar with the deal said United did not have to pay an upfront fee. Instead, the person said, a formula involving Hines-Ike’s playing time would determine how much is owed in the future.
In 2021, he was arguably United’s best defender until early July, when a hip injury sidelined him indefinitely and threatened to ruin the club’s plans of extending his stay.
After returning to active duty in late October, Hines-Ike made an brief appearance as a sub against the New York Red Bulls, then started the regular season finale in Toronto.