Two weeks after adding striker Gyasi Zardes, the Colorado Rapids made a second move ahead of the close of the 2022 MLS primary transfer window, and it involves a fan-favorite.
The Rapids announced Tuesday they had traded Andre Shinyashiki, a former DU Pioneer and 2019 Rookie of the Year, to Charlotte FC.
Colorado received up to $400,000 in General Allocation Money and a guaranteed $225,000 in 2022 money from Charlotte, with $175,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics and contract conditions are met. The Rapids would also retain 50% of any potential trade fee Charlotte receives for Shinyashiki’s rights.
Shinyashiki, the fifth overall SuperDraft pick in 2019, burst onto the scene after scoring 51 goals in 83 games at DU. The Sao Paolo, Brazil native, quickly became a fan-favorite over his four-year Colorado career as he scored 16 goals (one in 2022) and six assists across 86 appearances (51 starts).
“A bitter-sweet moment for me, it’s been three years and counting with the club and I just wanted to thank you guys for everything,” Shinyashiki told fans in a goodbye message on Twitter. “It’s been a really good experience for me and I think the club has embraced me as one of their own, the fans (too).”
With Zardes brought in for $300,000 in 2022 GAM, Diego Rubio rolling (five goals) and a strong group up-and-coming strikers in the pipeline, Shinyashiki’s time came to a close.
Still, the club will always have fond memories, Colorado Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith said in a statement.
“Andre has been at the heart of our club’s development on the pitch over the last few seasons, while also serving as a model representative off it,” Smith said. “We’re grateful to him for his contributions to the club and wish him all the best in this next stage of his career.”
Shinyashiki’s first-year run of form — seven goals in his rookie season — included an iconic game-tying goal in his debut against Portland in what was dubbed “Snow Classico III.” His goal production has waned since, though, to four goals apiece in the shortened 2020 season and last year’s run to the top of the MLS Western Conference.
Last year, Shinyashiki made a guaranteed salary of $130,000.
At 24, he is still in prime of his career and might be able to re-ignite his form in the Eastern Conference and an expansion Charlotte side looking for more production from its forwards.
The MLS Primary Transfer Window closes Wednesday, with a secondary window opening back up in July.
