Last updated: Saturday August 29, 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.
Israeli Striker Sayed Abu Farkhi; Rafa Navarro to St. Louis?!
Sport5, Israel’s official sports channel, was first to report that Colorado Rapids were interested in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Sayed Abu Farkhi. M. Tel-Aviv are one of the traditional powers in the Israeli Premier League. Abu Farkhi is 20 and this would be a U22 signing. He’s played center forward and winger, mostly forward of late. Four goals in 375 minutes for a Europa League qualifying team is pretty solid.
Sport5 reported the dead was done with a $6 million transfer fee. That’s about half the Lucas Herrington money after agent fees, GAM conversion, etc. Burgundy Wave and Rocky Mountain Soccer Journal have since backed up that reporting. Tom Bogart has since said the deal is close. At this point, we’re waiting on a press release.
The question is where Abu Farkhi plays under Matt Wells. When the rumor initially dropped, there were questions about what this meant for him, Rafael Navarro, and Darren Yapi.
Then on Friday night, Nick Moreno of Pulso Sports and Bogart reported that St. Louis CITY was in talks to sign Rafa Navarro. Deal potentially of around $12 million. Bogart has said Colorado tried to sign Navarro to an extension and talks broke down.
There have been some cryptic Instagram stories from both players. In the last few weeks, both posted a black and white picture of them playing with the Wiz Khalifa song ‘See You Again.’ Since that post, Navarro has started and captained Colorado every game. Abu Farkhi dismissed the rumors of a departure in a recent interview.
I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s another U22 or even a DP signing (as Bogart alluded to). Colorado could upgrade both winger positions this window with Dante Sealy gone too.
There’s been rumblings every transfer window about Navarro for two years now. Granted most of that has been unverified noise that he’s going back to Brazil. Last summer, it was simple in the end. Colorado valued him at $10 million. None of the clubs met that valuation. There had been reporting that CR Vasco da Gama is looking to buy a striker this month. Navarro is on their short list. But they made other offers and Navarro wasn’t a top target.
This is completely different. I don’t think $12 million is a must sell, but you have to think about it. They’d be making a profit on a player who didn’t sign a contract extension. If you think you can sell high on another desperate MLS FO and make the team better, I see the logic behind it.
This would be a once in forever opportunity for the club, $17 million for Herrington, $12 million for Navarro. They could max out converting that to $6 million in GAM. The club could upgrade their front three in the same window. The Rapids could go into 2027 with the top three or four most expensive signings (Paxten Aaronson being one of them).
But the timing of this is terrible. The day before the Rocky Mountain Cup. So much change in the final week of the window. MLS teams that lose their best defender and best attacker midseason rarely peak in November. Any foreign signings at this point would do well to have paperwork done in time for the Open Cup Semifinal on September 16. I don’t see the Rapids winning that trophy with Rafa gone and no new signings eligible for that match. This is Colorado’s best chance at a trophy in
All that said, we’ve seen this FO struggle with turnover and replacing players quickly and well. They’ll have more money than they’ve ever had to play with. But if they make three signings, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them is a bust. These next 5 days might be the most important in Pádraig Smith’s tenure.
And for those wondering, Navarro is cap-tied for the Open Cup. So he could not play for St. Louis against Colorado in the Semifinal next month.
Oh, one more thing. Abu Farkhi is of Arab descent and grew up close to the West Bank. So don’t jump to conclusions about his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Looking at you Montreal fans.
Rumor status: We are on double press release watch.
Dante Sealy goes back to Montreal:
We covered this in more detail in another article. The main thing is that Colorado recouped so much of the GAM they traded to get him. Acquired him from Montreal last December for $1.9 million with $600K in add-ons. Ten months later, Sealy goes back to CFM for $1.4 million plus $300K. It didn’t work out. He had 5 assists in MLS play in 1,800 minutes. Just one goal in Open Cup against Union Omaha.
Hopefully he rediscovers his form. Good on the FO for moving off a player that hasn’t worked out. This gives them more flexibility to close out the window.
Rumor status: Official.
Wingers Couhaib Driouech, Everton Cebolinha, and Filip Thorvaldsen :
There have been three winger rumors in recent weeks.
Random Twitter account Eliteserien Wizard has reported Colorado Rapids, Cercle Brugge, and FC Twente are interested in VÃ¥lerenga Fotball’s Filip Thorvaldsen. This account was started in June 2026 and is following no other accounts. 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?
Thorvaldsen has since moved to FC Twente for a reported €5.5 million. He could have been a nice U22 winger.
Then Taberna Celtista, an RC Celta account reported that Colorado Rapids were interested in Moroccan Dutch winger Couhaib Driouech. From the Netherlands. Left winger. Age 24. Right footed, left winger. He’s been a role player for PSV the last two seasons, who’ve won the Eredivisie. Capped at the U23 level for Morocco. Celta are reportedly interested. Rangers FC appeared to have won the bidding war but recent reports are that the £6.5 million move is off. This comes after a thigh tear.
Lastly, Venê Casagrande in Brazil has reported that Colorado are interested in Flamengo winger Everton Cebolinha. Russian side FC Krasnodar and Italy’s Fiorentina have also been interested. Age 30. Four goal contributions in about 1,000 minutes all comps this season. He is out of contract at the end of the calendar year. The rumor was Colorado was looking at a pre contract for 2027. The latest is that he’s leaning towards Krasnodar for an immediate move. He traveled for a medical then the deal broke down at the last minute. He was valued at €7 million. Now supposedly he’s still looking for a move this window to Europe. I don’t think the Rapids are or should be involved further at this point.
If reports are to be believed, Colorado is being bold in terms of the valuation of the wingers they’re going after. There’s also competition to sign them. Competitions Colorado’s lost out on. All three players have a similar style of play. This could be a clue to what Colorado are looking for in a winger.
Their goals are decent finishes cutting inside to be in front of goal, so neither stay out on the flanks. Both have pace and threaten in behind. Matt Wells Ball likes a good through ball to set up the counter attack. They seem good at creating space then finding teammates to create chances.
Based on the game film on YouTube, neither is a one trick pony like Georgi Minoungou (dribbling) or Dante Sealy (goals on a bad Montreal team). The Rapids could use some versatility and unpredictability. That’s what they got in Youssef Maziz (see below). Driouech is different from what the club currently has at the position.
Does he want to come to MLS or go to a bigger European league? Who knows. Transfermarkt values him at €7.5 million or $8.8 million. Spending 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.
How bad is that thigh problem? Can Colorado sign him and get him fit for the Open Cup semifinal on September 16? And is there a bidding war with Celta possibly still interested? Seems dubious.
But an International TAM player with upside and resale potential. I’m here for that.
Rumor status: Thorvaldsen is not happening. Driouech could be back on? Doubtful.
Lucas Herrington:
Lucas Herrington. Officially the youngest MLS and Australia player to start a World Cup game. Courted by Liverpool and Barcelona. Now officially the most expensive defender to be sold out of MLS. He joined Hull City officially on August 12. $17 million plus $6 mill in incentives plus a 15% sell-on clause. I think this move makes sense for all parties. Read more on this transfer saga 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’d leave at some point. Believe it or not, his penalty miss against Egypt may have actually helped him.
Read More: World rallies around Lucas Herrington after penalty miss.
He and his agent chose the Rapids over European options last summer because it was first team football, not a European reserve team. Now he’s chosen a smaller club in Hull for similar reasons. He continues to be a mature and well-spoken young man. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s playing Champions League in two years and captaining the Socceroos at some point.
Rumor Status: Official.
Bryce Jamison and Rapids 2’s Jabari De Coteau Loaned to Switchbacks:
On August 18, the club confirmed that Jamison and De Coteau would be loaned to Colorado Springs Switchbacks for the rest of the season with the option to recall. Jamison has yet to make his Rapids first team debut. Both players have been regulars for R2. Jamison previously played for Orange County SC where he was a regular. De Coteau was drafted last winter and is in his first year professionally.
Switchbacks have some injuries. They’re mid table and looking to make the playoffs and make a run in the cup as well. Both players should compete for minutes. Colorado’s had success in the past with these midseason USL Championship loans. These moves tend to inform roster decisions as well. Both players could see this as an audition to prove they’re ready to play in MLS in 2027. Or they play well and get scouted elsewhere. Watch this space.
Rumor status: Official.
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.
Rumor status: He is here and he is GOOD.
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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