Minnesota United have acquired center-back Ike Opara in a trade with Sporting Kansas City to bolster a defense that was among the league’s worst last season.
As a part of the deal, Minnesota will send $900k in Targeted Allocation Money to Kansas City, with incentives possibly bringing the total to $1M — those incentives are reported to be Minnesota making the playoffs next season.
Though that is a lot to give up for a guy who turns 30 in a couple weeks. Some will say they overpaid. But the Loons needed immediate help at the position, and at his best, Opara is a Best XI-caliber player who should remain so for a couple more years yet.