TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
The rumors in recent days of a Darwin Quintero have materialized. He's heading to the Houston Dynamo.
The Texan club acquired "The Scientist" and Minnesota United's 2020 3rd-round MLS SuperDraft pick in exchange for midfielder/defender Marlon Hairston and $150,000 of general allocation money and $150,000 in targeted allocation money in both 2020 and 2021.
The trade was made after Houston and Quintero agreed to a long-term contract, as first reported by The Athletic. The 32-year-old was Minnesota's first-ever Designated Player.
“Darwin’s track record speaks for itself. He’s a proven difference maker in MLS and Liga MX who has adapted very well to our league,” said Dynamo Sr VP & GM Matt Jordan. “We are confident that Darwin’s ability to play a variety of attacking positions and create chances for himself and his teammates in the final third make him an ideal fit for the Houston Dynamo as we prepare for the 2020 season.”
Quintero had 21 goals and 20 assists across 57 appearances over two seasons, though he fell out of favor in big games towards the end of 2019. Quintero was left out of the starting lineup for the final of the U.S. Open Cup and the club's first-ever playoff game, both losses.
On Monday, the Colombian announced on his social media feeds that the Loons had declined his option, which the club denied. Orlando City SC were also reportedly interested in Quintero before Minnesota agreed to a deal with Houston.
The trade reunites Quintero and former Loons ace Christian Ramirez, who was dealt from LAFC to Houston over the summer. According to The Athletic reporter Jeff Rueter, however, his future is also in question.
