The roster dominoes are beginning to fall for FC Dallas this offseason. Today, FC Dallas has signed free agent defender Lalas Abubakar to a two-year contract with a one-year club option.
In 2024, Abubakar led the Rapids to the MLS Cup playoffs and to a historic third-place finish in the 2024 Leagues Cup, the highest finish in Rapids history. He spent the last five seasons with Colorado, making 153 appearances, scoring nine goals, and recording three assists. Abubakar was named the Rapids' Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
“We’re very happy to sign Lalas to our roster,” FC Dallas Sporting Director André Zanotta said. “Strengthening our defensive group this offseason was a priority. Lalas provides us a great player, competitor, and flexibility along our backline. We look forward to him joining our group once preseason begins.”
Abubakar also spent two seasons with the Columbus Crew, recording 35 appearances and scoring two goals. He was selected by Columbus in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
BDS Take
Abubakar was one of the few defenders I had on my prospects to go after list earlier his month. Abubakar is a TAM-level signing we’ve been discussing the club make this winter. In 2024, he earned $665,000 according to the MLS Player’s Association’s salary guide.
His time in Columbus overlapped with new manager Eric Quill, so this signing clearly has his imprint on it more so than Wednesday’s signing of midfielder Ramiro.
Edit: Actually, I had my dates wrong here. The two did not overlap in Columbus. Sorry about that folks, lots of moving parts today.
At 29-years old, he’s also the right age to go out and spend money on. He should be a starter on day one as Sebastien Ibeagha and Nkosi Tafari battle it out for the other starting center back position (honestly, I lean toward Tafari there, even after a disappointing 2024).
What do you all make of this addition? Happy to see the club finally spend decent money on a center back in the offseason?
Comments