The Colorado Rapids on Tuesday acquired striker Conor Doyle in a trade with D.C. United, the club announced.
The Rapids sent a third round 2017 SuperDraft pick to D.C. in return. Doyle earned $61,250 last season, according to . The .
“Although he is still young, he already has wide experience in MLS and Europe,” Rapids vice president of soccer operations Paul Bravo said in a news release. “His ability to cover a number of offensive positions gives us strength in depth as we approach the new campaign.”
Colorado said Doyle can play both striker and midfield roles and can be an impact player off the bench.
The Rapids have sought to add the McKinney, Texas native since 2013, when under then-coach Oscar Pareja. However, Doyle had to go through an MLS lottery and was assigned to D.C. United.
A 6-foot-2, 172-pound striker, Doyle has (19 starts) for the Black-and-Red, scoring four goals and adding an assist.
Doyle, 24, first went on loan to D.C. from Derby County, an English team in the second-tier Championship league. His contract was officially acquired by D.C. in 2014. Rapids President Tim Hinchey has ties to Derby County, where he served as a vice president.
Doyle played 22 league games for Derby County between 2010 and 2013. He has represented both the United States and Ireland youth national teams.
Footnotes. The Rapids’ biggest offseason acquisition, designated player Shkelzen Gashi, is not expected to be available for the club’s preseason game Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC. The Rapids said Tuesday their 27-year-old Albanian striker, who was of the Swiss first division, was in Switzerland tying up loose ends for his move to the United States.
The Feb. 13 game against Sacramento is not expected to be streamed online, however, all four games Colorado will play at the Desert Diamond Cup will be .
Daniel Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or @danielboniface
