Minnesota United announced via Twitter the team had traded its natural 2018 fourth round SuperDraft pick to D.C. United in exchange for 22 year-old midfielder Collin Martin.
The 5-foot-11, right-footed attacking midfielder is a product of the D.C. United Academy, joining at age 14 during the 2009-2010 season. In 2012 Martin elected to enroll at Wake Forest, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman Team honors while tallying six assists and a goal, playing in 20 games for the Demon Deacons.
Martin signed with D.C. United as a homegrown player on July 10th, 2013. In a little over three years with D.C., the Chevy Chase, Md. native made 22 first-team appearances, with 15 of those coming during the MLS regular season and an additional seven during the CONCACAF Champions League. Last season, Martin logged 72 minutes across four appearances in the Champions League. He was also used as a 90th minute substitute against Toronto FC on October 2nd, and played a full 90 minutes in a 4-2 loss to Orlando City in D.C. United’s regular-season finale. It is worth noting the young midfielder was unavailable for selection from June 2nd until October 2nd while dealing with a foot injury.
In addition to the aforementioned, Martin spent three seasons on loan in the USL with the Richmond Kickers, logging 780 minutes, one goal and four assists in 13 matches. Martin also made five appearances for the United States U-20 men’s national team between 2012 and 2013.
Current Minnesota United Director of Player Personnel Amos Magee served as D.C.United’s assistant coach and U-23 head coach from 2014 to 2016, and is undoubtedly familiar with Martin.
The club will take a look at Martin in the preseason. With Magee’s insight and coach Adrian Heath’s attacking focus, there’s a chance that Minnesota can unlock Martin’s potential. Still just 22, this looks to be a savvy pickup for United. In the four-round SuperDraft, very few players get MLS minutes after being drafted in the final round. The Loons brought in a midfield prospect with MLS experience for virtually nothing.
Martin earned $75,000 in base salary, and $89,166.67 in guaranteed compensation in 2016, per salary information published by the MLS Players Union. Fourth round SuperDraft picks rarely result in the acquisition of players that contribute to an MLS franchise’s first team. Thus, utilizing one of the Loons’ 28 MLS roster spots on Martin is the most significant opportunity cost in the transaction. This is a low-risk, potentially high-reward move.
Kyle Eliason contributed to this report.
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