Despite being in San Diego, the Colorado Rapids aren’t shying away from adding to their roster and adding depth to their team. On Monday, the Colorado Rapids announced that the club had acquired attacker Shkëlzen Gashi from FC Basel. Gashi will be Colorado’s second Designated Player on the 2016 roster, joining Kevin Doyle. Upon receiving his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and his P1 Visa, the 27-year-old Albanian superstar will be officially added to the Rapids roster.
NEWS: #Rapids96 acquire attacker Shkëlzen Gashi as Designated Player. #WelcomeGashi #OneClub https://t.co/jg6m4lLZfn pic.twitter.com/5DVeVO4JiG
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 1, 2016
Per the Designated Player rules, each Major League Soccer franchise is allowed to sign players that would be otherwise considered outside of the team’s salary cap. After David Beckham was the first player signed under the rule, the rule allows MLS teams to compete and sign international players. The addition of Gashi brings up the current total of Designated Players in the league to 47 for the upcoming season.
Coming off a monstrous two seasons with FC Basel of the Swiss Super League, Gashi scored 25 goals since his arrival to the club just before the 2014 season. Gashi had been awarded the Swiss Super League Golden Boot honors in his last two seasons.
Gashi hopes to join the rest of the Rapids players out in San Diego during their first pre-season training trip, assuming he receives his ITC and P1 visa quickly.
Hear it from the new signing himself… #WelcomeGashi #OneClub https://t.co/qB5u4F7dde
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) February 1, 2016
The Rapids regular season begins on Mar. 6 from San Jose as the Rapids take on the Earthquakes before returning home on Mar. 12, for their home opener against the LA Galaxy.
Image Credit: Gazetablic.com