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Transfer Rumors: Orlando City, New York Red Bulls Talking Aurelien Collin Trade?
The last piece from ‘Major Monday’ may be on the move.
According to a social media report from New York Post NBA writer Brian Lewis, Orlando City is reportedly closing in on a trade that will send center back Aurelien Collin to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Sources tell the @nypost that the Red Bulls will acquire Aurélien Collin from @OrlandoCitySC for a conditional 4th-round pick. #RBNY #MLS
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) April 29, 2016
Lewis also tweeted that Orlando City will assume a “decent chunk” of Collins’ $525,000 salary.
I’m told Orlando will assume a decent chunk of Aurelien Collin’s salary. #RBNY #MLS
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) April 29, 2016
Former Orlando Sentinel OCSC beat writer and current FourFourTwo columnist Paul Tenorio said his sources confirmed the initial report.
Source confirmed this to me, as well. Big question is who pays how much of the salary. https://t.co/wmBWDyNn6f
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016
After starting in 27 of his 28 appearances for the Lions last season, Collin fell out of favor with Head Coach Adrian Heath in the preseason and started 2016 on the bench behind Seb Hines, David Mateos, and 19-year-old Tommy Redding. He’s appeared in just two of the Lions’ games this season, including one start against the Philadelphia Union earlier this month.
For Orlando City, the move would clears an all-important international spot and some cap room (depending on how much of Collin’s salary the club is actually taking on, which is reportedly a lot).
OK here’s what I am hearing: Collin deal is for a straight 4th-rounder and Orlando City taking on more than 50% of the salary charge.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) April 29, 2016
Getting only a fourth-round pick in return suggests the Lions were more focused on moving Collin, rather than cashing in on whatever value he had left.
For New York, it fills a big need at center back. The team’s back line has struggled to stay healthy this season, and if he doesn’t come in and start right away, Collin at least adds strong depth for a thin side.
Collin is also the final piece of the team’s ‘Major Monday’ to move on from the club, after Amobi Okugo was traded to Sporting KC last summer and Tally Hall was released this past off-season before resurfacing with D.C. United.
Where does this leave Orlando City? Seb Hines and Tommy Redding are currently the presumptive starters, with David Mateos on the bench, at least for now. Conor Donovan could be close to returning from a knee injury sustained last season against the Philadelphia Union. In addition, Devron Garcia is at Orlando City B, providing depth.
We’ll have more on this as the story develops.