TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
The move was made official Friday afternoon.
“We are happy to welcome Clint Irwin back to Colorado,” said Rapids EVP & general manager, Padraig Smith in a statement. “He is a talented goalkeeper who knows this team and city well. I know our fans will be looking forward to seeing him back between the posts at Dick's Sporting Goods Park as much as we are.”
Clint Irwin is returning to the Colorado Rapids.
Sources told MLSsoccer.com on Friday that the Rapids are sending a second-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft to Toronto FC in exchange for the veteran goalkeeper. The Rapids initially acquired the pick from FC Dallas in the trade that brought Kellyn Acosta to Colorado this summer.
After one season in the Canadian Soccer League and one in USL, Irwin joined the Rapids ahead of the 2013 season. The 29-year-old won the starting job straightaway, making 32 regular season appearances to help Colorado to a surprise playoff berth.
He made 87 regular-season starts in three years in Colorado before he was traded to Toronto ahead of the 2016 season. He was the No. 1 in his first season at BMO Field, starting 19 regular-season matches and all six playoff contests, including TFC’s heartbreaking loss to Seattle in MLS Cup. He started just 13 league matches in 2017 and 2018 as Alex Bono emerged as TFC’s starter.
Irwin is set to backup Tim Howard in Colorado, who traded former No. 2 Zac MacMath to Vancouver earlier this week. The Rapids also acquired goalkeeper Andre Rawls from New York City FC in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft on Friday. He’ll likely begin the year as the club’s No. 3.
