May 27, 2016 By Sahr Morris Jr.
U.S. Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union have formally announced the transfer of Sierra Leone midfielder Michael Lahoud to North American Soccer League (NASL) expansion side Miami FC.
The defensive midfielder was in January loaned out to the New York Cosmos at the start of the season by Philadelphia Union and he proved a worthy addition in the first two months of the season, starting and playing every minute of the team’s first seven matches.
With Union having the right to terminate the loan at any point, the MLS club chose to do so after receiving a significant offer from Miami and decided to sell the player to the NASL strugglers although his loan deal to NY Cosmos was for the duration of the entire NASL season.
“We have been informed that the Philadelphia Union have sold the contract rights to Michael Lahoud to Miami FC,” said Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover. “Michael was on loan to us for the 2016 season, but his rights always remained with Philadelphia. We are sorry to see him go. He was a great player and teammate for our club. We wish him best of luck on his new venture.”
According to ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, Philadelphia picked up the substantial sum of $300,000 from Miami for the rights to Lahoud.