Minnesota United acquired midfielder Kevin Molino from Orlando City in a trade for $650,000 in allocation money on Thursday.
Orlando received $450,000 in general allocation money and $200,000 in targeted allocation money in the deal, which also sees goalkeeper Patrick McLain move to Minnesota.
The allocation money that Minnesota paid is among the higher prices ever paid between MLS teams, which only started releasing that data publicly this offseason.
Molino, a Trinidad and Tobago international, has been with Orlando City since 2011, when it played in the USL. He will be reunited with former Minnesota coach Adrian Heath, who coached Orlando from 2011 until he was fired in July.
Official: Loons secure Molino and McLain in massive trade with @OrlandoCitySC.
Full Press Release » https://t.co/qNrG7hG0JU pic.twitter.com/VT6ocMmoLd
- Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) January 27, 2017
"Where do you start with Kevin as a player, he has incredible touch on the ball, can score goals, can create goals, he has great balance, there's nothing he can't do with a football," Heath said in a statement. "In my opinion he's the best player in his position in the country."
Molino missed most of the 2015 MLS season after tearing his ACL, but played well last season, recording 11 goals with eight assists for the Lions.
"I spoke with Adrian and he asked me if I wanted to be a part of Minnesota United and join the team and that was it -- I have worked with him for a long time, so it was an easy decision," Molino said. "I know what Adrian expects from me and I am really excited to join the club and build a relationship with my new teammates, coaches and the fans."
McClain has spent most of his career in USL. He is expected to act as a backup for John Alvbage, who Swedish club IFK Goteborg on Thursday announced was set to join the new MLS team.
