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Summer MLS Deadline Day 2021: Ebobisse to Earthquakes; Vines to Belgium

MLS Deadline Day 2021

The day has finally arrived, MLS fans. Strap yourself in, buckle your seatbelts, take a seat on the couch — but get ready for chaos. MLS deadline day is here, and some moves have already been made around the league and abroad.

The highlight of MLS deadline day has been Jeremy Ebobisse to the San Jose Earthquakes and Sam Vines being traded to Royal Antwerp in Belgium. Matt Pollard covered the Vines move, which you can read about here. We will update this article as more trades and transfers are being made.

Jeremy Ebobisse joins San Jose Earthquakes

Although he’s staying on the West Coast, Jeremy Ebobisse has a new state and city to call home. The former Portland Timbers striker has been traded to the San Jose Earthquakes for allocation money. To be exact, Ebobisse has been traded to San Jose for a total of $1.167 in General Allocation Money (GAM), according to The Athletic writer Paul Tenorio.

Ebobisse has been with the Timbers for the entirety of his senior professional career. He was an MLS SuperDraft pick in 2016, and spent a bit of time on loan with the Charleston Battery. However, Ebobisse has primarily featured for the Timbers since 2016 — and has over 20 appearances for the USL affiliate, Timbers 2.

Last night, after their 1-1 draw with San Jose last night — in which Ebobisse did not dress — Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese commented on the trade.

“He’s a player that means a lot to us. He’s a player that I saw grow in the club; he’s a player that’s very dear to all of us,” Savarese said. “I think sometimes, there’s decisions that are made and not always on agreement. This league sometimes, as well, has somethings in regards to the way salaries… have to be managed. That makes it difficult as well. I will let the club make an announcement and that’s it.”

Tenorio also reported that Ebobisse will sign a new contract with San Jose. The deal has not yet been made official from each side.

— Rachael Kriger

Gianluca Busio to Venezia FC

Sporting KC announced the inevitable, officially notifying us of Busio’s transfer to Venezia FC. As had been reported on by Tom Bogert, Paul Tenorio, and Taylor Twellman, Venezia has agreed to send Sporting a club-record transfer fee for a player. Read all the details in Daniel Sperry’s article.

— Daniel Sperry

Sam Vines to Royal Antwerp FC

All details of the Sam Vines transfer to Royal Antwerp in Belgium can be found in Matt Pollard’s article.

Sam Vines to Royal Antwerp Announced as Rapids Enter International Market

Update: The Rapids announced Vines’ move at 1 p.m. ET.

Sounders add Brazilian attacker Léo Chú; trade of Nicolas Benezet

Léo Chú has joined the Seattle Sounders. The young Brazilian attacker began his professional career just last year. Chú kicked off his career with Grêmio, scoring two goals in nine appearances. Last year, he began a loan with Ceará Sporting Club in Brazil, where he scored three goals in 22 appearances.

Chú joins a Sounders offense that features Raul Ruidiaz, Will Bruin and Fredy Montero. However, he’s not the only attacking player joining the Sounders on Deadline Day.

Garth Lagerwey, Sounders general manager, broke down the signing of Chú.

“In Léo’s case, we were able to utilize the league’s new under-22 player initiative, and he is a player that was high on our list in this regard,” Lagerwey said. “His speed and versatility make him an intriguing option for our club, and like any young player, we are looking forward to integrating him into the organization and giving him the tools to succeed.”

 

Nicolas Benezet could be on the move to Seattle. The Colorado Rapids Frenchman has been rumored to join the Sounders, which has been reported by his agency Agence Kemari. According to the agency’s tweet, he will join the injury-riddled Sounders through the rest of the 2021 season.

Benezet has bounced around throughout his career. In the United States, Benezet joined Toronto FC on loan in 2019 from Guingamp. He returned to the second-tier French club in 2020, but then joined the Colorado Rapids. In 1.5 years, Benezet has made 22 appearances for the Rapids. According to MLS, he has only started once this season. Benezet began his senior professional career in France with Nîmes Olympique in 2010.

Lagerwey said Benezet knowing the league can be beneficial.

“We believe he can support multiple positions, and as we’ve seen many times already this season, having depth at several spots is critical,” Lagerwey said.

The attacking midfielder could be a benefit to the Sounders, who are expecting Nicolas Lodeiro to return to 90 minutes in the coming weeks.

— Rachael Kriger

Florian Valot traded to FC Cincinnati

There seems to be a common theme with these trades. Just like Ebobisse, Florian Valot has been traded to the team that his former club played on Wednesday night. However, Valot — unlike Ebobisse — did dress against FC Cincinnati. He just wasn’t used as a substitute.

The move was confirmed at 3 p.m. ET.

Valot, a 28-year-old midfielder from France, has been with the Red Bulls since 2016, when he originally joined Red Bulls II. He was promoted to the first team in 2018, making over 40 appearances. Before his journey to the United States, he featured in his native France for AS Monaco II from 2010-13. He went to college at Rider University in New Jersey for three years.

Valot was the captain of Red Bulls II in 2017.

— Rachael Kriger

LA Galaxy sign Dejan Joveljić from Frankfurt

The LA Galaxy are putting a lot of faith in former Frankfurt striker Dejan Joveljić. The 21-year-old has signed a 4.5-year contract through the 2025 season. Joveljić began his senior career with Red Star Belgrade in his native country. However, in 2019, he went to the Bundesliga and joined Eintracht Frankfurt.

He only featured for Frankfurt four times, spending most of his time on loan. In 2020, he was on loan with Belgian first-tier side R.S.C. Anderlecht. In the same year, he journeyed to Austria and went on loan with Wolfsberger AC where he made 34 appearances and scored 18 goals.

This past year, Joveljić made his first senior debut for the Serbian national team. He featured for the various youth national teams since 2014. His debut for the senior national team against Jamaica on June 7, in a friendly.

“Dejan is an exciting, goal-scoring forward who is amongst the brightest talents in Europe,” LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese said, via a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome Dejan to Los Angeles and look forward to his contributions to the club.”

According to the Galaxy, Joveljić was signed as an MLS U22 Initiative player.

— Rachael Kriger

Quick Hits on MLS Deadline Day

  • Przemysław Frankowski transferred to RC Lens in France for a transfer fee of $3 million.
  • Adalberto Carrasquilla has joined the Houston Dynamo on loan from FC Cartagena; there is a purchase option.
  • Sporting KC added Jose Mauri on a free transfer. Mauri was a Italian Youth National Product, and played for Parma and AC Milan before heading to Argentina to play for Talleres.
  • RUMOR: Tajon Buchanan slated to go oversees, currently being eyed by Club Brugge for a $7 million offer. A couple Bundesliga clubs are also interested.
  • Pedro Vite signs a U-22 MLS initiative deal with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

 

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