The trade that sent former Sporting Kansas City defender Aurélien Collin to Orlando City is officially complete.
Sporting and Orlando finished the deal on Friday, with the Lions sending defender Jalil Anibaba – who was selected from the Seattle Sounders in Wednesday’s Expansion Draft – to Kansas City. The initial trade was made on Monday, when Orlando acquired Collin in exchange for allocation money and “future considerations.”
Kansas City also announced that they have agreed to a new deal with the 26-year-old Anibaba, whose previous contract expired at the end of last season. He could slot into a Sporting backline at either right back or centerback as the club looks to rebound in 2015 after struggling at times last season with injuries and international call-ups.
"Jalil is a player we scouted and interviewed heavily before the 2011 draft and we are excited to bring him to Kansas City now," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "We look forward to seeing his athleticism and personality within the group come January."
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Anibaba made 16 regular-season appearances and 14 starts at center and right back for the Supporters’ Shield-winning Sounders in 2014. The ninth-overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Anibaba spent his first three years in Chicago, starting at least 27 regular-season games each year. He has four goals and six assists in 112 league appearances in four years as a pro.
"First I would like to thank Seattle, their coaches, players and fans for their support last year, and I am definitely excited to come to Kansas City," Anibaba said. "I look forward to contributing to our championship-caliber team and am ready to get to work. I anxiously await playing in front of the amazing fans at Sporting Park. Being on the visiting end there numerous times, it will feel great to be on the right side and be a part of the incredible atmosphere."
