Official: Atlanta United trade Nagbe to Columbus Crew, receive $1.05 million allocation money

Update Nov. 13, 2:30 p.m.: Atlanta United confirmed the trade of Darlington Nagbe to the Columbus Crew Wednesday.

Darlington Nagbe’s tenure with Atlanta United has come to an end. Columbus Crew SC has acquired the midfielder for what’s being called one of the largest amounts of allocation money in MLS history. Atlanta will receive $1.05 million in guaranteed allocation money, with $900,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). Atlanta can receive up to $375,000 in additional allocation money via performance-based incentives. Atlanta also received an international roster spot from Columbus.

The move isn’t entirely surprising for those following the team closely: sources told DSS prior to the season that Nagbe had been pushing for a move to Ohio, where his family resides. An additional draw to Columbus is an opportunity to reunite with Caleb Porter, his coach in college at Akron and later in MLS with the Portland Timbers.

Nagbe was acquired by Atlanta from Portland in December 2017 for $1.05 million in total allocation money and an international roster slot. His first season with his new club was hampered by an adductor injury that held him out for 11 games in the regular season. He recovered in time to play a full 90 minutes in MLS Cup against his former team.

In 2019, Nagbe played in 33 games - starting 32 - scoring a pair of goals and adding 4 assists.

Nagbe will go down as a club favorite, and we wish him the best as he looks to be headed back home to Ohio.