The Colorado Rapids have signed U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Zack Steffen, sources with knowledge of the deal have confirmed to The Denver Post.
Steffen, 28, was previously with Manchester City but played a season on loan for English Championship side Middlesbrough before having surgery to treat a knee injury in May of 2023. He made two appearances in the Premier League with the reigning champions.
He previously expressed a desire to leave City once his loan was up with Middlesbrough last summer — though he was under contract until 2025 — in hopes of getting more time on the field elsewhere.
As for William Yarbrough, who had the starting job in goal before undergoing knee surgery last August, his contract option for another year was declined by the Rapids after the 2023 season. Discussions had been ongoing until the Rapids opted to go with Steffen. Colorado started Marko Ilic after Yarbrough’s injury, ultimately resulting in sending a high transfer fee to Belgian side KV Kortrijk to buy him from loan.
While Steffen is presumably the starter in 2024, there will likely be a competition in goal given the high figure the Rapids paid for Ilic. Through 13 matches last year, Ilic gave up the most goals per 90 minutes in MLS.
For the USMNT, Steffen has recorded 10 clean sheets in 29 caps.
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