Colorado Rapids sign Sam Vines to a new contract
One of the brightest rising stars in MLS has inked a long-term deal as news of Sam Vines’ new contract with the Colorado Rapids broke on Friday.
The left back, who is emerging as a potential option for the United States national team at left back, signed a four-year deal that will keep him with Colorado. Vines is a Homegrown player and easily the best player developed through the team’s academy system.
In the past two seasons, Vines has 44 appearances and 41 starts for Rapids. He is set to turn 22-years old in late May.
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A player with good tactical acumen, Vines is also comfortable pushing up and is able to possess the ball while turning up field and passing through lines.
In 2020, he played in all 18 games for the Rapids, his 1,620 minutes making him the only player on the roster to play every single minute for the club. He had a goal and three assists.
Via a statement released by the club on Friday, Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith hailed the new contract for Vines.
“We’re delighted to extend Sam’s future in Burgundy,” Smith said via the club’s statement. “In two short years, Sam has grown from being a promising Homegrown Player to becoming one of the best left backs in the league and a member of the national team. He’s got a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to seeing his continued development with the club.”
The signing of Vines caps off a busy week for the club.
Diego Rubio signed at two-year extension this week after the forward had 14 goals and nine assists in 42 appearances for the club the past two years.
In addition, the Rapidssigned the next wave of players that they hope will develop along a similar trajectory as to Vines.
Yaya Toure, a 17-year old midfielder, signed with the club after being acquired in a trade with the New York Red Bulls. Along with Toure, a United States youth international, the Rapids inked 16-year old Darren Yapi as well as 19-year old Oliver Larraz.
The Rapids also made a mini splash with Michael Edwards, a United States youth international defender who was signed from Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga this week.