Ike Opara is officially a Minnesotan now. It's not down to the fact that he's one of several new faces with Minnesota United, or that he spent his New Year's holiday in the Twin Cities. Instead, it comes down to a recent purchase.
"I finally invested in a proper outerwear jacket," said Opara, a native of North Carolina. "It's amazing how comfortable and warm those things are. You don't actually realize how cold it is here."
Sporting Kansas City has traded former MLS Defender of the Year Ike Opara to Minnesota United for $900,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, which could reach $1 million if certain incentives are reached.
One source said that if Minnesota makes the playoffs, then the incentive will have been reached, adding to Sporting Kansas City's haul. The new playoff format approved by MLS for 2019 will see seven teams in each conference make the postseason.
The deal for the former MLS Defender of the Year could reach $1 million if certain incentives are reached.
Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara has asked SKC manager Peter Vermes to consider any trade offers that come in for the 2017 MLS Defender of the Year.
A source initially told ESPN FC of Opara's request, and Vermes confirmed that the topic came up during a conversation with the player last week, although he stressed that, "Right now, with our roster, I'm not shopping anybody."
Ike Opara is staying with Sporting Kansas City on a new contract.
Sporting Kansas City locked up goalkeeper Tim Melia, defender Ike Opara and forward Daniel Salloi to new contracts on Tuesday.
Melia, who was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year last season in his third campaign with the club, has committed his future to Sporting KC for another three years until 2020.
Opara, the league reigning Defender of the Year, was also rewarded with a new two-year deal with an option for 2020. The 29-year-old made his U.S. national team debut last month.