Nashville SC announced Thursday that they have traded forward Dominique Badji to the Colorado Rapids for up to $100,000 in General Allocation Money. $50k will be paid up front, with the other $50k to be paid if Badji meets certain performance-based requirements.
Badji, 28, was the starting striker for Nashville in their early matches as an expansion team. The striker made 17 total appearances for Nashville, scoring once and assisting two others. Badji scored the earliest goal in Nashville SC history, finding the back of the net after just 55 seconds in a 4-2 win over Atlanta United.
Badji started two matches in 2021, including a standout performance in Nashville’s 2-0 win over New England Revolution. His last appearance in gold came in a 2-2 draw with Atlanta in early July, earning praise from fans and head coach Gary Smith for finishing the match despite being hobbled with an ankle injury. Badji hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since.
Nashville SC have an incredibly deep striker group. The club recently signed striker Aké Loba for a club-record $6.8 million from C.F. Monterrey. CJ Sapong was signed as a free agent in the offseason, and has started 11 matches, with his five goals the second-highest on the team. Jhonder Cádiz is also on a Designated Player contract, but has started just five matches, and missed nearly a month on international duty with Venezuela at the Copa America.
Daniel RÃos, last season’s joint leading scorer, missed the first nine matches of the year with a foot injury, and has played just 21 minutes this season. He hasn’t been included in the last two match-day squads.
Trading Badji opens up a senior roster spot for a potential move before the secondary transfer window closes on August 5, as well as increasing Nashville’s budget flexibility with an influx of GAM. Colorado will receive a veteran MLS player who spent three seasons with the Rapids at the start of his career.
Nashville SC will play on the road against Toronto FC on Sunday evening.
Twitter