Minnesota United are reportedly close to signing Norwegian international Vadim Demidov. He would provide needed experience to the expansion team.
As first reported by FiftyFive.one, Minnesota United are reportedly close to signing Norwegian international Vadim Demidov to their MLS roster. The 30 year-old Demidov, who can play as a centerback or in the midfield, would add some much needed veteran experience to a relatively young roster.
Demidov, has experience playing in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as in La Liga with Real Sociedad. He spent last season in the Norwegian Tippelgaen with the club SK Brann. At SK Brann he captained the side, which finished with the second best defense statistically in the entire league.
This signing would continue Minnesota apparent trend of affordable, yet solid signings, as Demidov is not expected to be a DP, or even cost Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to sign. This would still leave Minnesota with all 3 of their DP spots available for use, which is a nice luxury for an expansion team to have. Especially with a seemingly very solid roster forming already, despite no DP spots being used.
Demidov would be a very smart signing for the Loons, who are probably looking to add some veteran experience to a roster who’s oldest player is currently just 28 years of age. He would also be a prime candidate to be the club’s first captain, as he has been the captain of SK Brann for the past two seasons.
Vadim would provide a lot of versatility to Minnesota United, as he can play both as a centerback, or as a defensive midfielder. It is unclear where he would play if he lands in Minnesota, but a case could be made for him playing either position for the Loons.
If played at centerback, he would make a very solid CB partner for recent signing, Costa Rican Francisco Calvo. Calvo is a very athletic centerback who could get physical with attackers, while Demidov is very solid positionally and would provide good service from the back.
Next: Minnesota United add attacking duo to 2017 MLS roster
They would play to each other’s strengths, and would likely be on of the more solid centerback pairings in MLS. Meanwhile, playing him as a #6 would provide needed midfield depth to the Loons, but would likely relegate MLS veteran Collen Warner to the bench. This wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing though, as it would provide a very solid option off the bench in Warner. Demidov would be an improvement over Warner in the starting XI. If the signing is completed it would seemingly be a very good move for Minnesota, as they continue to build out their MLS roster.