Last updated: Saturday August 8, 2026.
Commerce City, Colo. – Despite the World Cup, silly season started in early June for the Colorado Rapids. Here’s Burgundy Wave’s biannual Colorado Rapids transfer tracker. We update this regularly as news breaks to keep you up to date in one place throughout the summer. The MLS Secondary Transfer Window officially runs Monday, July 13 through Wednesday, September 2.
Norwegian winger Filip Thorvaldsen:
Random Twitter account Eliteserien Wizard has reported Colorado Rapids, Cercle Brugge, and FC Twente are interested in VÃ¥lerenga Fotball’s Filip Thorvaldsen. There was a bid for 60-70 Norwegian Krona previously, which is equivalent to $6.3-7.4 million USD. This account was started in June 2026 and is following no other accounts.
Is this a credible source? No, not yet. Have we seen random burner accounts come online then immediately get transfers right? Yes, usually when they’re started by player’s parents to juice transfers. So let’s look at this kid.
He’s 20-years-old. Right footed left winger, though he’s played on the right and as a second striker. VÃ¥lerenga are a mid table team in Norway. Broke into the first team in 2025. In the Eliteserien (Norway’s top flight), he’s got 8 goals and 3 assists in 33 appearances. Is the Norwegian league good or comparable to MLS outside of FK Bodø/Glimt and Viking FK?
Most of his goals are decent finishes cutting inside to be in front of goal, so he’ doesn’t stay out on the flanks. He’s a threat in behind with his pace. Matt Wells Ball likes a good through ball to set up the counter attack. He seems good at creating space then finding teammates to create chances.
Based on his game film that’s on YouTube, he’s not quite the one trick pony Georgi Minoungou (dribbling) or Dante Sealy (goals on a bad Montreal team) are. The Rapids could use some versatility and unpredictability. That’s what they got in Youssef Maziz (see below). He’d be different from what the club currently has at the position.
TransferMarkt has his value at €2 million. Eliteserien Wizard says this will be a club record fee. Best I could find, Andrej Ilic was sold to Latvia for just over €1 million, so not a lot. They could have him ball out for a few years then sell him for profit to a bigger league in Europe. We’ll see if there’s a bidding war with other teams interested. Colorado did lose out on center back Stav Lemkin to Twente last summer.
Does he want to come to MLS or go to a bigger European league? Who knows. Spending almost half the Herrington profit on him seems a bit much. That’s saying he’s as valuable as Paxten Aaronson was last year. There would still need to be another big signing or two made using the funds from the Herrington transfer.
But an International and U22 player with upside and huge resale potential. I’m here for it.
Lucas Herrington:
Lucas Herrington. Officially the youngest MLS and Australia player to start a World Cup game. Courted by Liverpool and Barcelona. Now on the brink of a $17 million move to newly promoted Hull City. I think this move makes sense for all parties. Read more on this rumor here.
Making the World Cup roster put him on the map for every major team in Europe. Balling out for Colorado put him on the radar . Starting a critical World Cup game at 18 and surely he’s gone to Europe at some point. This winter if not this summer. Believe it or not, his penalty miss against Egypt may have actually helped him.
Herrington has been very complimentary of the support system he has in Colorado. He and his agent chose the Rapids over European options last summer because it was first team football, not a European reserve team. Another six months incubating with Wells might be better for him long term. He continues to be a mature and well-spoken young man. Hull makes sense over Barcelona in that regard.
He’s on a four-year deal so there’s no rush from Colorado’s side. It could be a bigger payout if they wait longer. We’ll see how much money talks over the coming days.
Rumor Status: The Tigers are closing in.
Read More: World rallies around Lucas Herrington after penalty miss.
TAM Attacking Midfielder Youssef Maziz
Tom Bogert of the Athletic was the first to report Colorado are signing Youssef Maziz. The deal was announced July 31. Two-year deal with an option. French central attacking midfielder, turned 28-years-old last month. Was out of contract having spent three years with OH Leuven in Belgium. Free transfer. Before Leuven, he was at FC Metz from his academy days, but spent plenty of time on loan in France and Belgium. He played for France at the U16 level.
A few online player profiles have his as a central midfield and a winger, though he didn’t start at the wing in a game last season. His highlights show he’s a good passer. Through balls to forwards in stride, simple touches to create shots, etc. And he’s scored some amazing free kicks. Colorado needs some of that.
He’d be a good compliment to Paxten Aaronson in midfield. Aaronson provides the pressing, dribbling, and passing. Maziz provides more ball movement and creativity. Aaroson could be a proper number 8 like he was in the Netherlands.
There is some concern that he’s never really done it for a team in the top half of the table in France or Belgium. Hopefully Pádraig Smith has found a diamond in the rough. OH Leuven finished 12th out of 16 in the Belgium Pro League this past year. Maziz was in the 90th percentile or higher in chances created, big chances created, and successful crosses. He was 87th percentile in expected assists.
Transfermarkt has his value at €1 million. A shot term TAM contract with options would make sense. Say signed through 2027-28, with options for the next two years. Mazaz would be an international player. A TAM contract would keep the two U22 roster slots open.
Rumor status: Official.
Wayne Frederick Extension:
On July 24, the club confirmed a contract extension for midfielder Wayne Frederick II. He was on a club option for 2027 and has signed a four-season extension through 2029-30. There is a team option for 2030-31. Frederick has seen more minutes in his third year out of Duke. As of July 26, he’s played 1,137 first team minutes, more than all of 2024 and 2025 combined. Even scored his first two goals and assists.
Matt Wells likes him. He’s been good in central midfield. The soccer equivalent of a five tool player, but he’s not elite at anything, yet. Even had a game at left back where Wells tried something and he didn’t look out of place. His guaranteed comp for 2026 was announced as $113,400. As a domestic player, he could get a raise to $300,000 and I wouldn’t blink.
Given Wells’ affinity for Jackson Travis at left back, this might not be the only contract extension announced this summer.
Rumor status: Official.
Ian Murphy to San Diego FC:
On June 27, Colorado Rapids confirmed that center back Ian Murphy has been traded to San Diego FC. Colorado gets a 2027 second round SuperDraft pick. BW can confirm it is Charlotte FC’s natural pick for this coming draft. There is $100,000 in conditional GAM as well. Colorado retains a portion of Murphy’s $447,500 salary. Typically in MLS that has been 50%.
The 26-year-old is under contract through 2026 with an option for 2027. SDFC might see this as a depth flyer and/or a rental.
Murphy was on the short list to be sold this summer. He has one first team appearance for year, off the bench at Toronto when the Rapids were playing with 9 men. He got a red card in his one Rapids 2 appearance. He’s fourth on the depth chart. Chris Armas didn’t really rate him. Matt Wells hasn’t either.
He gets a fresh start. He’s from Redlands, California (East LA) originally, so maybe being closer to family and friends will help. Colorado gets a his $447,500 salary off the books. They get a draft pick, which Pádraig Smith always likes. Still, the return, or lack there of shows he didn’t have much trade value given his compensation.
I hope things get better, Murph. Fittingly, the next game is San Diego at Colorado July 22.
Rumor Status: Official.
Alexis Manyoma purchase option declined:
Colorado Rapids confirmed June 27 that they declined the permanent transfer option on Colombian winger Alexis Manyoma. That option was due to expire July 21. I called this two months ago. He has 2 goals, no assists in 16 appearances for Colorado. One of those goals was an Open Cup game against a USL team. The other was in garbage time against LA Galaxy. Not impressive.
Like other departed players in this article, he’s been on the bench behind cheaper, younger players. A U22 winger taking up an International Slot has to be a starter. BW previously reported there was a $500,000 loan fee and the purchase option was in excess of $2 million. You can’t spend $6 million in transfer fees on three wingers.
“Manyoma’s probably the one player that’s very unfortunate to not be starting,” Wells said of the April 4 game at Toronto. “He’s not a player that deserves it the way he conducts himself, the way he trains.”
The 23-year-old returns to Club Estudiantes de La Plata. Colorado frees up a U22 slot. They have two open as of this move. $712K salary off the books. Expect Colorado to use that flexibility this window.
Rumor Status: Terminado.
Connor Ronan free transfer to Aberdeen:
June 17, Colorado Rapids confirmed the transfer of midfielder Connor Ronan to Aberdeen F.C. in Scotland. Burgundy Wave can confirm it is a free transfer. The 28-year-old signs a two-year deal with the Dons with an option for a third.
Ronan was good in his three-and-a-half years in MLS. He did have a few poorly timed injuries that kept him from getting minutes. He was a lone bright spot in 2023. At his worst, he was a good teammate and useful substitute. A jack of all trades in the midfield.
I’ll miss him but it’s a good time to leave. He gets to move closer to home with his young family growing up. Like others on this list, Colorado sheds $562,400 in salary for a player that wasn’t a locked down starter. Would have liked to see Colorado get a transfer fee. Ronan was on an option for 2027.
All the best.
Rumor Status: More done than a Boston bartender.
Loïc Williams arrives early, sort of:
Burgundy Wave can confirm Loïc Williams arrived in Colorado the last week of June and is officially under contract. The Spaniard signed on a pre-transfer back in March. This was a drawn out negotiation that started in March. Williams joins before the opening of the transfer window, which is allowed. He is just not allowed to play any MLS games till July 13. Colorado does not resume league play till July 22.
He has almost a month to get acclimated, fit, and maybe work on his English. That’s good. Should expect him to be in the team July 22 vs San Diego.
What else I’m hearing:
Matt Wells questions the culture and the mentality of the squad in the final game before the World Cup break:
“I’ve seen that before… That’s the bit over the summer we have to address… If we don’t find this winning mindset, how can we win MLS Cup? We cannot win the Open Cup. Any players that I don’t see that are capable of that (winning mindset), I need to them make decisions. They’re not the future of the Rapids and I need to make some changes.”
I’ve heard from multiple sources this window will be active. The club’s already moved off three players who weren’t playing. They’ve shed about $1.5 million in salary, plus an open U22 and International slot. I don’t see another obvious deadweight contract on the bench to offload.
The goal is to make two needle-mover signings this window. My guess is one is a midfield to compliment Paxten Aaronson. The other is probably a winger to replace Manyoma. One of those should be a U22. They could piece together enough GAM for another big inter-league swing.
It might take another sale to happen. There’s been a lot of skepticism from European and South American players coming to MLS with the current political climate. Visas could take longer as well. A league source said something similar in the winter. That could have contributed to Williams being a summer pre-transfer rather than joining the team at the start of the year.
Wells is particular about the character and profile of player he wants. The club would prefer to take their time to get the right player rather than rush to get a third or fourth option. If they get one of their two top targets, I expect a permanent transfer, not a loan with an option to buy, unless that’s all the parent club allows.
Good thing the window is open till September 2. The roster needs to be improved to make the playoffs.
Elsewhere, I think the market’s cooled on Rafael Navarro. He’s been fantastic this year. MLS MVP conversation good. With 9 goals and 5 assists in 18 games, I think the price has gone up. The Brazilian teams that could afford him at $10 million are big enough clubs that he wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter. Navarro’s found his level and is happy. Unless one of Brazilian giants wants to overpay, I think he’s a Rapid through the season.
I could see Colorado taking a flyer on a goalkeeper to support Nico Hansen now that Zack Steffen’s season (and time at the club) could be over. Think Clint Irwin. Raise the floor. Contract that’s easy to rent. CJ dos Santos and Pablo Sisniega are sitting behind a 19-year-old at San Diego. I’d take either of them. Tyler Miller is backing up in Charlotte. He’s 33 but a good journeyman. Signing a goalkeeper would allow Adam Beaudry to go back to starting for Loudoun on loan.
Also, right back. Kosi Thompson came to Colorado due to unusual circumstances. With Reggie Cannon healthy, they’ve got three. I don’t see any of them getting minutes at another position. At the same time, I’m not sure which one you sell. Thompson’s young and cheap. Cannon has the highest salary. Keegan Ronseberry’s club captain.
Even with the Murphy trade, I don’t see them acquiring another center back. Unless Herrington is sold.
Lastly, I could see a few loans to USL teams like last year. Ali Fadal and Kimani Stewart-Baynes are both approaching option years. Both have had good runs in MLS NEXT Pro. Neither has broken into the first team. A loan to a USL Championship team could be their audition to show they’re ready to break into the first team in 2027 and worth the option year.
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Eamon Shaw 