The Transfer

Javier Morales re-signs with Real Salt Lake

After weeks of negotiations, Javier Morales has re-signed with Real Salt Lake.

The 33-year old playmaker took to Twitter to announce, “I couldn’t be happier. Just sign my new contract with RSL. Thanks to the Club, Owner, coaches, teammates and [especially] to the FANS!”

A poor performance in 2012 resulted in RSL having to offload some of their talent in the off season, sending Fabian Espindola, Will Johnson, and Jamison Olave on to other clubs and leaving some definite holes in their lineup.

Morales has played with RSL since 2007, appearing in 124 games for the Claret & Cobalt.

Full details of the deal are not yet available.

Source: http://www.realsaltlake.com/news/2013/01/real-salt-lake-re-signs-javier-morales

Breaking: Vancouver Whitecaps signing forward Corey Hertzog

Forward Corey Hertzog has been signed by the Whitecaps ahead of the 2013 season training camp.

Seeing action in 5 games with New York Red Bulls in 2011/2012, Hertzog spent much of 2012 on loan to Wilmington Hammerheads where he played in 17 games and scored 9 goals.  The 22-year old had his option declined by RBNY following the 2012 season.

Hertzog was on $103,500 in 2012.

Source: https://twitter.com/tylergreen1040/status/291702413579141120

Breaking: Vancouver Whitecaps set to sign Paulo Jr.

23-year old Paulo Jr was selected by Vancouver in the 2nd Round of the MLS Re-Entry Draft on December 14.

As per league policy, Paulo Jr was extended an offer by the club within 1 week of being selected and the negotiations had been ongoing.

In 22 games last season with Real Salt Lake, the Brazilian scored 2 goals.

Source: https://twitter.com/tylergreen1040/status/291702413579141120

Juninho completes permanent move to LA Galaxy

After spending the last 3 seasons on loan to LA Galaxy from Sao Paulo, Juninho has joined LA permanently after being released by the Brazilian club.

With 13 goals in 87 games, the midfielder has been an important part of the Galaxy squad, helping to win 2 Supporters Shield honours and 2 MLS Cups.

Source: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/16/galaxy-complete-full-transfer-juninho-sao-paulo

Breaking: Jeff Larentowicz traded to Chicago Fire

Colorado Rapids have traded Jeff Larentowicz and the 30th overall SuperDraft pick to Chicago for the 11th overall SuperDraft pick, an international roster spot for 2013, and $75,000 of Allocation money.

Larentowicz had been with Colorado since 2010 when they won the MLS Cup, making 96 appearances for the club and tallying 14 goals.  Prior to being with Colorado, Larentowicz spent 5 years with New England Revolution, seeing action in 111 games.

Since 2011, the “Ginger Ninja” has had 4 caps with the US Mens National team.

Source: http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/01/fire-acquire-midfielder-jeff-larentowicz-colorado-rapids

Vancouver Whitecaps sign 19-year old Ethen Sampson

After trialing with Vancouver last year, African Soccer Development captain Ethen Sampson has been offered a 2-year contract with the Whitecaps.

Sampson, a natural central defender from Cape Town, South Africa will add more depth to an already crowded position on Vancouver’s roster.  He is set to join Vancouver for pre-season within the next week.

Ethen said the following about the move, “I loved my time on trial in Vancouver - their training sessions were really similar to the training we do at ASD, so it felt like I fit in straight away. I know this is a great opportunity for me and its what I have been striving for. I really hope my move will open more doors for ASD players in the MLS, because ASD has not only made me the player I am today, but also the character I am both on and off the field.”

Source: http://www.africasoccerdevelopments.com/index.php?asd-captain-ethen-sampson-to-join-vancouver-whitecaps,518

Rumour: Robert Earnshaw linked with Vancouver Whitecaps FC

31-year old striker Robert Earnshaw could be joining Vancouver Whitecaps FC from Cardiff City where he had been on loan to Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

A native of Zambia, Earnshaw has played his international football for Wales, featuring in 58 games and scoring 16 goals since 2002.

Cardiff City is where Earnshaw spent his Youth career, and he has played 202 games for the Bluebirds while netting 89 goals in two spells with the club.  He has also played for West Bromwich Albion, Norwich City, Derby County, and Nottingham Forest.

Unhappy with the location of his current loan in Israel, Earnshaw was quoted saying ”The football was good, the city of Tel Aviv was unbelievably beautiful, but there were crazy moments.”  He said ”Overall the experience was good, though, and I enjoyed the football. But I didn’t sign up for the politics and a war.”

It has been confirmed that Earnshaw is surplus to Cardiff City’s requirements, and will be leaving Cardiff at the end of January.

Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2013/01/15/cardiff-city-striker-rob-earnshaw-looks-to-usa-move-after-tel-aviv-troubles-91466-32598098/

Rumour: Mancini coming to MLS?

32-year old Brazilian midfielder Mancini may be coming to MLS as it has been reported he was offered a contract by an unspecified club.

Mancini has had an interesting career dating back to 1999 and has been part of some giant clubs including Roma, Internazionale, and Milan.  He has 6 caps for Brazil, and over 300 appearances for his various clubs.

Source: http://www.lancenet.com.br/minuto/Atletico-MG-Mancini-estuda-futebol-EUA_0_846515370.html

Rumour: San Jose targeting 23-year old Isidro Gutierrez?

Salvadoran midfielder Isidro Gutierrez could be making his way to MLS to play for San Jose Earthquakes in 2013 if rumblings about interest from the club are true.

With 2 goals in 7 caps for his country at the senior level, Gutierrez has proven to have skill on the ball and good finishing.  His current club side, Aguila, has given him action in 42 games since 2010, where he has scored 13 goals.

Rumour: Seattle Sounders targeting Portugese striker Helder Postiga?

Portugese striker Helder Postiga has been linked with a possible move to MLS to join Seattle Sounders from Zaragoza.  The 30-year old has 23 goals in 57 caps for Portugal and 81 goals in 315 career matches for clubs including Porto, Tottenham Hotspur, Saint-Etienne, Panathinaikos, and Sporting CP.

Seattle Sounders have had a rough off-season thus far, seeing Freddy Montero leave for Colombia on a 1-year loan, veteran defender Jeff Parke re-join Philadephia Union, and talk of both Osvaldo Alonso and Mauro Rosales linked with possible moves though nothing so far has come of it.

Add to that there have been a couple of deals rumoured to be bringing in talent to Seattle from Honduras have apparently fallen through and Seattle is decidedly weaker than they were in 2012.

Source: http://seattletimes.com/html/soundersfcblog/2020110481-kansas-city-to-host-2013-mls-a.html