TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- NE receive: Christian Makoun
- CLT receive: $400k in GAM, conditional GAM
UPDATE, (Aug. 4, 1:30 pm ET) — New England Revolution have formally acquired defender Christian Makoun in a trade with Charlotte FC, the clubs announced Thursday.
In order to bring in the 22-year-old Venezuelan, the Revolution sent the expansion club $400,000 in guaranteed General Allocation Money (GAM). The funds break down as $143,327 GAM in 2022 and $256,673 GAM in 2023, while Charlotte can also receive additional GAM if certain performance metrics are met. Inter Miami CF will maintain 15% of total gross future sales from a previous trade.
“We are pleased to acquire Christian Makoun," said Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. "He is a talented young defender and will add depth to our backline as we enter a crucial time in the regular season.”
Makoun came to MLS in 2020 with and was signed by Charlotte this past offseason via trade. He will look to help New England fight for an Audi MLS Cup Playoff spot, as the defending Supporters' Shield champions sit 11th in the Eastern Conference.
ORIGINAL, (Aug. 3, 12:47 pm ET) — Charlotte FC are making changes in their central defense depth chart.
The expansion club is finalizing the acquisition of French center back Adilson Malanda from Ligue 2 side Rodez AF, a source told MLSsoccer.com.
Charlotte have also agreed on a deal to trade Venezuelan international center back Christian Makoun to the New England Revolution, a source confirmed. The Athletic's Sam Stejskal and Paul Tenorio first reported the Makoun trade.
Player backgrounds
Malanda, 20, has made 34 Ligue 2 appearances with Rodez, including playing 90 minutes last weekend in the club's opening match of the 2022-23 campaign, keeping a clean sheet.
Makoun, 22, initially came to MLS in 2020 with Inter Miami CF and was acquired by Charlotte this past offseason in a trade. He has scored twice in 43 MLS appearances (33 starts), though was yet to start a league match under interim head coach Christian Lattanzio, who took over at the beginning of June after ex-head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez was dismissed.
Playoff battles
The Venezuelan international adds to New England's options at center back, with Andrew Farrell, Henry Kessler, Jon Bell and Omar Gonzalez all at the club. Under Lattanzio, Charlotte's main options in central defense have been Guzman Corujo and Anton Walkes.
Charlotte and New England, both in the Eastern Conference, are locked in a battle to make the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The Revs are in ninth place, two points below the line, while Charlotte are in 10th place, three points below the line. Both clubs have 12 games remaining in the regular season.
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