The Houston Dynamo have acquired General Allocation Money and a right of first refusal for Costa Rican defender Keyner Brown from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a trade for MF Giles Barnes, the club announced today. The Dynamo will retain a percentage of any future transfer fees if Barnes is loaned or transferred outside the league.
Barnes, 27, played in 113 Major League Soccer contests since joining the Dynamo in 2012, starting 108, and scored 31 goals in league play for the club. Across all competitions, the London native has appeared in 131 games with 119 starts and scored 34 goals. This season, Barnes has played in 14 games with 13 starts and has scored four goals. At the international level, Barnes has earned 18 caps for Jamaica and has scored three goals in international play.
“We’d like to thank Giles for all of his contributions both on and off the field during his time in Houston and we wish him well,” said Dynamo vice president and general manager Matt Jordan. “We felt this move was in the best interest of our club moving forward, providing us with valuable roster and budget flexibility while bringing in valuable assets both in the short and long term. This move also provides a greater opportunity for our younger attacking players to make an impact this season.”
By acquiring the right of first refusal for Brown from Vancouver, the Dynamo now have the opportunity to negotiate with him. The 24-year-old is under contract with Herediano in the Costa Rican first division.
TRANSACTION: The Houston Dynamo receive priority on the discovery rights for defender Keyner Brown as well as general allocation money from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for midfielder Giles Barnes.
