Orlando City traded U.S. international midfielder Brek Shea to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night in exchange for forward Giles Barnes.
The deal features two non-designated players who nevertheless were earning the third-highest salaries on their previous teams.
Shea earned $595,000 in total compensation last season for Orlando, while Barnes received $756,250 at Vancouver, which acquired him from the Houston Dynamo last July.
Shea, who turns 27 on Tuesday, moves to Vancouver after two seasons in Orlando, where he also played at left-back. He scored three goals with two assists in 22 league games last season.
"We are excited to welcome Brek to our club and city," Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson said in a statement. "Brek is a tall, physical, skilled player and will bring a different dimension to our attack.
"Brek will join the group in coming days and we anticipate he will be available for selection as early as this Thursday's Champions League match against New York."
BREAKING: Orlando City acquire Giles Barnes from Vancouver in exchange for Brek Shea.
Details | https://t.co/bbbyqWMbyd pic.twitter.com/X527FkxbqX
- Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 26, 2017
Shea spent a brief time with Stoke City in the Premier League after impressing for FC Dallas. But he lost his starting spot at Orlando after injuries near the end of last season and was expected to struggle to find a place under coach Jason Kreis in his first full season in charge.
Barnes, 28, is a Jamaica international who has scored 33 goals in five MLS seasons.
"We're thrilled to boost our attack with a player like Giles. His versatility to score and create goals will be a valuable asset this season," Lions general manager Niki Budalic said in a statement.
Barnes, who was born in England and previously played for Derby County and West Brom, should help Orlando replace the loss of Kevin Molino, who moved to Minnesota United a month ago.
