TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan, extension
UPDATE (Jan. 20): The Colorado Rapids have loaned homegrown midfielder Cole Bassett to Eredivisie side Feyenoord Rotterdam on an 18-month loan with an option to purchase, the club announced Thursday.
As part of the purchase terms, Colorado would retain a percentage of any future transfer fees for Bassett. Additionally, the 20-year-old has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2024 MLS season.
“We’re incredibly proud of Cole for having earned this opportunity to pursue his dream of playing in Europe,” Rapids EVP & general manager Padraig Smith said in a release. “It’s a testament to his talent, his performances here with the Rapids and his dedication to continually improve as a player.
"This move also reflects our steadfast commitment to develop young players and provide a pathway to the highest levels of the game. We look forward to seeing Cole’s continued growth and wish him all the best as he takes this next step in his career."
Bassett has 13 goals and 11 assists in 72 regular-season appearances since making his professional debut in September 2018. Last month, he scored on his international debut for the US men's national team in a 1-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This outbound move is Colorado's second homegrown deal in as many transfer windows after left back Sam Vines joined Belgian side Royal Antwerp last August.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 15): The long-speculated European deal for Colorado Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett seems to be nearing completion, with reports emerging Friday of the 20-year-old homegrown talent nearing a move to Eredivisie side Feyenoord.
The news was first reported by Dutch outlet Voetbal International and would be an 18-month loan with a purchase option. And as MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert reported, the parties are in "advanced negotiations."
Feyenoord, currently third in the Dutch top-flight, brought on former LA Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese in November to become their CEO.
Bassett, who scored on his US men’s national team debut in December against Bosnia and Herzegovina, turned down a move to Portuguese powerhouse side Benfica last summer to remain with Colorado in pursuit of silverware. They ultimately won the Western Conference regular-season title and booked a 2022 Concacaf Champions League spot.
A box-to-box midfielder, Bassett has been linked to interest across Europe virtually since joining Colorado as a homegrown player in 2018. As reported by MLSsoccer.com’s Tom Bogert, German Bundesliga side Freiburg had bids rejected in the past.
Bassett, who has 13 goals and 11 assists in 72 regular-season games (52 starts), has also trained with Premier League giants Arsenal and German Bundesliga sides Freiburg and Hoffenheim.
Should Bassett depart, he’d be Colorado’s second homegrown export in under a year after USMNT left back Sam Vines joined Belgian side Royal Antwerp last August.
He'd also be the latest outbound homegrown player from MLS this winter, with NYCFC midfielder/defender James Sands joining Scotland’s Rangers FC on loan and FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi being transferred to FC Augsburg for a reported $18 million.
