TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Released
The Colorado Rapids announced on Friday the club has reached a mutual agreement with Stefan Aigner to terminate the remainder of the midfielder’s three-and-a-half year contract.
The 30-year-old German singed with Colorado on July 26, 2017 after spending 11 years in the German Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.
After scoring two goals in nine appearances – with five starts – to end 2017, Aigner has made just one substitute appearance under new Rapids coach Anthony Hudson, playing 11 minutes in a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Union on March 31.
Hudson has attributed Aigner’s absence from his squad to various reasons this season – from illness, injury, a trip to Germany to obtain his visa and US green card and, most recently, fitness.
"It’s been a difficult situation and I would say disappointing as well," Hudson told 9news.com's Cealey Godwin last month. “To start with … it’s been fitness issues. There wasn’t really any improvement there. And myself, the staff, even Stefan to his credit has been honest about it and has said it’s been an issue.”
Hudson said he had meetings with Aigner, trying to figure out different ways to get him involved, including a change of position. The onus, he said, was on Aigner to show his willingness to be in the starting XI.
"He’s a very, very important player. He’s a player who has been brought in as an experienced player, a big player, and we’re trying to find a way to solve the situation. Now none of that has really worked. What the disappointing part is we need to see a willingness to help the team. Help the team win and we haven’t seen that yet.”
Added Hudson: ”The ball really is in his court. I’m still open. I don’t think I’ve ever given this many opportunities to a player in my life. But we also need him so if the time came where he was willing, then the door is open.”
Now, the door is closed.
