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Yesterday it was just a rumor but today that rumor has some legs. Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star is reporting Sporting Kansas City have reached an agreement with French attacking midfielder Yohan Croizet. The deal is set to make him a Designated Player which would mean SKC would have to use TAM to buy down one of their three other DPs (Roger Espinoza, Graham Zusi or Gerso Fernandes).
A potential second source has that the deal could be signed Thursday, when the player will be in town. I doubt he’s coming to town to negotiate with his current season ongoing in Belgium.
Source: Yohan will be in Kansas City on Thursday to complete the deal.
— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) December 12, 2017
Here is what we know so far:
- He plays attacking midfielder (like Benny Feilhaber) but can also play on the wing.
- He currently plays for KV Mechelen in the Belgian first division.
- KV Mechelen paid a record fee of 650,000 Euros (about $763k dollars) last season to acquire him.
- He is only 25-years-old and will turn 26 before the start of the next MLS season.
- In FIFA 18 he has a ranking of 70. Benny is a 75.
- He is left footed.
- He has 29 career goals.
Though he comes in as a Designated Player, his numbers don’t necessarily scream DP. If his fee is under $1 million (which we don’t know and may never know) then that’s not the kind of money that says Feilhaber goes straight to the bench.
It would seem like these two could split time, allowing Benny to rest and not get as run down throughout the season.
Ultimately, it would seem that the additions absolutely cannot stop here. Sporting KC are rumored to be looking for up to three new Designated Players. This seems like a good start but without a proven goal scorer, all the great passing in the world won’t help.
Whether that center forward turns out to be Mauro Boselli or someone else, it needs to happen for fans to believe Heineman and Vermes that they are serious about going all in for 2018.
We have reached out to the team for comment but haven’t received a response at press time. We’ll bring you more on this and other transfer news as it becomes official.