Forward Abu Danladi was selected with Nashville SC’s first pick of the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft. Minnesota United will receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money for the selection. Danladi is the first MNUFC player selected in an Expansion Draft. The Loons will be exempt from the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft next year.

Danladi was Minnesota United’s first-ever pick in the MLS SuperDraft, going as the first overall pick in 2017. A finalist for 2017 Rookie of the Year, the forward had a sensational debut season with the Loons, tallying eight goals –– including four game-winners –– and three assists in 27 appearances (15 starts). Additionally, Danladi made the MLS Team of the Week in Weeks 25 and 31 of the 2017 campaign, scoring both goals in the 2-1 win at Chicago Fire (the Loons' first road win in MLS) and the opener in the 3-2 victory at Atlanta United, among other impressive performances. His winner in the 3-2 result at Montreal Impact was in the running for AT&T 2017 MLS Goal of the Year. In his three seasons with Minnesota, Danladi played a total of 67 games across 2,578 minutes with 11 goals and six assists.

Before college, Danladi attended Dunn High School in Los Olivos, California, where he was named Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year in 2013–14. He competed for Santa Barbara Soccer Club, leading the team to a No. 6 national ranking, and also served as a guest player for the South Coast Strikers. Danladi graduated from Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy.

Transaction: Nashville SC selects Abu Danladi with the club’s first pick of the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft, Minnesota United receives $50,000 General Allocation Money.

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