It appears that the Kei Kamara contract dispute with Columbus Crew SC is at an end.
According to a report by Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch, the club is set to announce a new deal with their star striker on Wednesday. It will make Kamara the second designated player on the team alongside Argentinian attacking midfielder Federico Higuaín. It will also mark the first time in club history that two designated players will occupy roster spots.
Per MLS rules, it’s unlikely that details of the deal will be immediately disclosed.
Dispatch: #CrewSC expected to announce new designated-player deal with Kamara, giving club two DPs for first time: https://t.co/J0RyIgqoAt
— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) March 2, 2016
Report: Kei Kamara to Receive Designated Player Contract from Columbus Crew SC
Kamara was acquired via Crew SC’s top allocation ranking late in 2014. He would emerge as one of MLS’ top goal-scorers in his first season with the club. The Sierra Leone international finished the 2015 regular season with 22 goals, tying Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco for the league lead. He would end up placing second in the voting for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award.
In the playoffs, he added another four tallies. That included eventual game-winners in both Eastern Conference playoff series. The Black and Gold would go on to clinch the second conference title in team history before falling in MLS Cup 2015 to the Portland Timbers 2-1.
Ahead of the team’s first preseason camp, a report emerged from the Washington Post indicating Kamara was looking for an improved contract. According to MLS Players Union data, his total 2015 compensation was $536,666.67 with a $400,000 base salary. This made him the lowest paid player among the top five scorers in the league last season. In fact, the average guaranteed money the other four were pulling in came to $4.47 million.
Getting a deal done ensures the 31-year-old Kamara’s availability for the club’s season opener on Sunday. Crew SC faces a rematch on the road against the defending MLS Cup Champion Portland Timbers. The match kicks off at 4:30 PM ET and will be nationally televised on ESPN.
