Colorado Rapids Acquire Venezuelan International Defender Miguel Navarro from Chicago Fire FC in Exchange for Andrew Gutman
December 12, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - The Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), including $225,000 in 2024 GAM and $225,000 in 2025 GAMfrom Chicago Fire FC in exchange for defender Andrew Gutman, the club announced today. Chicago would receive a percentage of any future transfer fee if Navarro were transferred to a team outside of MLS.
"Miguel is one of the most talented, exciting young left backs in MLS," said Rapids Sporting Director, Fran Taylor. "We're excited to welcome him to the club, and we believe he can develop into a core piece of our team's backline with his skillset."
Navarro, 24, arrives in Colorado after spending the previous four seasons with Chicago Fire FC. The defender made 104 appearances for Chicago across all competitions, delivering 11 assists. Prior to joining Chicago in 2020, the Maracaibo, Venezuela, native spent the entirety of his career in the Primera División, Venezuela's top-flight professional league. Navarro played for Deportivo La Guaira from 2018 to 2019, following his professional debut with Deportivo JBL del Zulia in 2017.
"We are absolutely thrilled to add someone like Miguel to the club, he is an international caliber left back who knows MLS and has experience competing at the highest levels for Venezuela," said Rapids Head Coach, Chris Armas.
At the international level, Navarro has nine caps with the senior Venezuelan National Team including a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Argentina. Most recently, Navarro was called up in November of 2023, marking a call up to the Vinotinto in three consecutive windows. Additionally, Navarro has made 15 appearances for Venezuela at the U-20 and U-23 level, competing in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the 2020 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Navarro will not occupy an international slot on the 2024 roster after receiving his U.S. Green Card on March 4, 2021.
Gutman joined the Rapids in July 2023 from Atlanta United FC and went on to make 12 regular season appearances for the Rapids, scoring one goal, in his lone season with the club.
"We want to thank Andrew for his work and commitment to our club during his time with the Rapids and wish him all the best in this next stage of his career," said Taylor.
Miguel Navarro
Pronunciation: na-VAH-ro
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 154
Birthdate: February 26, 1999
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Nationality: Venezuela
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids acquire defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), including $225,000 in 2024 GAM and $225,000 in 2025 GAMin exchange for defender Andrew Gutman.
Major League Soccer Stories from December 12, 2023
- Inter Miami CF Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi Named Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year, Leads MLS Clubs with Four Awards - Inter Miami CF
- Sounders FC Bids Farewell to Club Legend Nicolás Lodeiro - Seattle Sounders FC
- Columbus Crew Announce End-Of-2023 Roster Decisions - Columbus Crew SC
- LAFC Announces Roster Moves for 2024 Season - Los Angeles FC
- Houston Dynamo Football Club Announces Promotions to Business Operations Leadership - Houston Dynamo FC
- Who Is Dean Smith? Charlotte FC's New Head Coach Brings Premier League Pedigree and Playoff Expertise - Charlotte FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Acquires USYNT Midfielder Chris Durkin from D.C. United Via Trade - St. Louis City SC
- D.C. United Acquire Midfielder Jared Stroud and Defender Lucas Bartlett in Addition to $300K in GAM in Exchange for Midfielder Chris Durkin - D.C. United
- 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Explainer - Nashville SC
- Chicago Fire FC Acquires Defender Andrew Gutman from Colorado Rapids - Chicago Fire FC
- Philadelphia Union Sign Defender Isaiah LeFlore - Philadelphia Union
- Colorado Rapids Acquire Venezuelan International Defender Miguel Navarro from Chicago Fire FC in Exchange for Andrew Gutman - Colorado Rapids
- Whitecaps FC Sign Tosaint Ricketts as New eMLS Athlete - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- D.C. United Acquire Defender Aaron Herrera from CF Montréal in Exchange for $500K GAM and Defender Ruan - D.C. United
- Columbus Crew Re-Sign Evan Bush - Columbus Crew SC
- CF Montréal Acquires Defender Ruan from D.C. United - Club de Foot Montreal
- Houston Dynamo FC Partners with Eleven Sports Media to Elevate Local Small Businesses - Houston Dynamo FC
- Sporting KC Signs Defender Zorhan Bassong - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Cincinnati Re-Sign Midfielder Yuya Kubo - FC Cincinnati
- Dean Smith's Connection to the Carolinas Runs Deeper Than Just his Name - Charlotte FC
- Charlotte FC Names Dean Smith as Club's Head Coach - Charlotte FC
- Giorgio Chiellini Announces Retirement from Professional Football - Los Angeles FC
- DRV PNK Stadium to Host Honduras and Iceland in International Friendly on January 17 - Inter Miami CF
- Columbus Crew Re-Sign Defender Rudy Camacho - Columbus Crew SC
- Real Salt Lake Welcomes Club Legend Jason Kreis Back to Utah - Real Salt Lake
- Passion of South American Fútbol Coming to DRV PNK Stadium with Club Universitario and Atletico Nacional Friendly - Inter Miami CF
- Guatemala and Iceland to Play in International Friendly at DRV PNK Stadium on January 13 - Inter Miami CF
- Columbus Crew Re-Sign Defender Steven Moreira - Columbus Crew SC
- Chicago Fire FC Kicks off Multi-Year Partnership with Carvana as Official Online Auto Retailer and Front of Kit Sponsor - Chicago Fire FC
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
