Minnesota United announce today the club has acquired the right of first refusal to midfielder Niko Hansen via trade from Houston Dynamo for $50,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money and $75,000 in 2022 GAM. Hansen has signed a new, two year contract with Minnesota with a club option for an additional year.
“We’ve liked Niko since he was at the University of New Mexico,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We spoke with both Ethan [Finlay] and Wil [Trapp] who played with him in Columbus, and they just confirmed what we already knew: Niko is an incredibly gifted and athletic player, who can play a lot of different spots on the field. We know how important that is, especially this year with more condensed scheduling. He knows the league, he knows the opponents. His versatility is going to be huge for us this year. He’s someone I’ve always wanted to work with. His pace is a game-changer. Having coached against him we always felt he was going to be a handful for us, so it’s nice to finally have him on our side.”
Hansen joins the Loons after spending just under two seasons with Houston Dynamo, making 21 game appearances, with two goals and one assist. The speedy winger arrived to Houston via trade from Columbus Crew in August of 2019. Hansen was selected 9th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by the Crew and was a part of the Crew’s MLS Cup Playoff runs in 2017 and 2018.
Transaction: Minnesota United acquire the right of first refusal to midfielder Niko Hansen via trade from Houston Dynamo for $50,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money and $75,000 in 2022 GAM. Hansen has signed a new, two year contract with Minnesota with a club option for an additional year.
VITALS
Niko Hansen
Position: Midfielder
Date of birth: 9.13.1994 (26 years old)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170 lbs
Birthplace: Randers, Denmark
