Ad
AP Sports

American defender Vines transfers from Colorado to Antwerp

United States defender Sam Vines (3) and Haiti defender Stephane Lambese, left, battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match July 11, in Kansas City, Kansas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

COMMERCE CITY — American defender Sam Vines is transferring to Belgium's Antwerp from Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids.

The 22-year-old joined the Rapids' academy when he was 13. H was signed as a hometown player at 18 and made his first-team debut later that year.

Vines had two goals and four assists in 53 MLS matches and was part of the U.S. team that won this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“This is the right moment for both him and the club to take this step,” Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith said in a statement Thursday. “His career progression and success at both club and international level is a testament to the investment our club has made in developing young talent.”

United States defender Sam Vines (3) and midfielder Sebastian Lletget (17) pressure Jamaica forward Blair Turgott (15) as he handles the ball in the first half of a 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match July 25 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)