Minnesota United today announced the club has acquired defender Kemar Lawrence via trade from Toronto FC in exchange for the college protected period priority rights to 2021 MNUFC MLS SuperDraft pick Sean O’Hearn and a conditional $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in either 2022 or 2023 if certain performance metrics are met. Lawrence is a U.S. permanent resident and will not occupy an international roster spot for the Loons.
“Kemar [Lawrence] is a player we’ve been looking at for three to four years. He’s someone who is highly experienced and knows the league inside out,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “He’s just come back from a successful spell at Anderlecht, playing in the biggest club in Belgium, where he did so well, they wanted to keep him. [We are] delighted to bring him in. A lot of competition for places, and it just got heightened even more with this introduction. Really pleased he’s decided to join us, and we think he’s going to be a great addition to the squad.”
The Jamaican international heads to Minnesota United after one season with Toronto FC. A strong defender who can deliver service from the left side, Lawrence is an MLS veteran with 143 game appearances. The “Taxi” was originally signed by the New York Red Bulls in 2015, scoring five goals and notching ten assists in his four seasons in Harrison. He was on the squad that won the Supporters Shield in 2017 and 2018 and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2018. The left back spent the 2020 season with Anderlecht of the Belgian First Division and returned to MLS ahead of the 2021 season. Lawrence began his professional career in 2011 with Harbour View where he made 50 game appearances between 2011 and 2014, winning the Jamaican National Premier League in 2013. Internationally, Lawrence has over 70 caps with the Jamaica National Team, where he’s played with current Loon defender Oniel Fisher. His appearances include three games in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
TRANSACTION: Minnesota United acquires defender Kemar Lawrence via trade from Toronto FC in exchange for the college protected period priority rights to 2021 MNUFC MLS SuperDraft pick Sean O’Hearn and a conditional $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in either 2022 or 2023 if certain performance metrics are met.
VITALS
Kemar Lawrence
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 09.17.1992 (29 years old)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 161 lbs
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Citizenship: Jamaica
