The Rapids began the process of rebuilding their roster for 2016 on Wednesday, re-signing defender Sean St. Ledger and adding midfielder Micheal Azira.
St. Ledger, whose 2016 option was declined last week, agreed to a new contract Wednesday. The terms were not disclosed. Last season, St. Ledger earned $147,492.
“Sean has become very important very quickly,” Rapids VP of soccer operations Paul Bravo said in a news release.
St. Ledger, who turns 31 this month, was acquired by the Rapids during the summer transfer window after being released by Orlando City Soccer Club for a ” .”
The along the Rapids’ backline, logging 1,048 minutes in 12 starts, adding two assists.
“It will be great to have a proper preseason training camp with the group,” St. Ledger said in a news release. “I am really excited with the plans the club are making for next year.”
The Rapids added Azira with the second pick in the MLS waiver draft Wednesday. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder from Uganda was released this month by Seattle Sounders FC. He was the only player selected in the waiver draft. Former Rapids striker Charles Eloundou went undrafted.
Azira logged 1,333 minutes for the Sounders over the past two seasons in 25 games (14 starts). He earned $62,826 last season.
The additions push the Rapids’ current roster to 18 players for 2016, but 10 roster spots remain open. The club said last week it has offered a new contract to former captain Drew Moor, but he is among MLS’ first class of free agents this offseason and could test the waters.
Four others from the Rapids’ 2015 roster are free agents: Bobby Burling, Michael Harrington, Nick LaBrocca and James Riley.
Vicente Sanchez, Gabriel Torres and Carlos Alvarez were put into the player pool for the re-entry draft, scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.
More funds from MLS. Major League Soccer announced Wednesday it was adding $37 million toward player compensation over the next two seasons.
Each club will receive an extra $800,00 in targeted allocation money (TAM) in both 2016 and 2017. The league said the funds provide teams flexibility to add players whose salaries exceed the maximum annual budget charge ($457,500) without requiring teams to use a designated player tag.
MLS said $5 million of the $37 million — or $125,00 per team per season — was earmarked for homegrown players.
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or @danielboniface
