Wilman Conde’s Rights Traded to New York Red Bulls

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday the club has traded the MLS right of first refusal on defender Wilman Conde to the New York Red Bulls in exchange for allocation money. If this kind of deal doesn't make sense to you, be sure to give this story a read. More after the break.

New York has agreed to personal terms with the out-of-contract Conde and he will be added to the Red Bull's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. He will join NYRB's preseason in Cancun. That's not a joke. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We've talked about this deal for awhile and let's just have this repeated.

It better have been a lot of allocation money and the allocation money better be spent. Otherwise the team traded Wilman Conde for nothing.

For those wondering how the Fire could have used Wilman Conde given the recent changes to the team's center back situation, Frank Klopas is not worried "The club is pleased with the talent we've assembled," said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. "We reviewed the situation and wanted to support Wilman's return to MLS. The allocation money we received in return will help us continue to build our team."

Having joined the Fire in 2007, the Colombian defender tallied four goals and four assists across 77 matches before signing with Mexican side Club Atlas on a free transfer in January 2011.

Having protected Conde during the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft, the Fire held the MLS right of first refusal on the former Fire defender.