Super Eagles Star Chidozie Awaziem Joins Colorado Rapids
Nigerian footballer Chidozie Awaziem has joined Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids from FC Cincinnati in a deal worth $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM). He was traded alongside Ian Murphy, with Cincinnati also potentially earning an additional $200,000 in GAM based on performance. The club will also receive a share of any future transfer fees for either player.
Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith shared his excitement, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Chidozie and Ian to the team. Chidozie is a strong, experienced defender with international and European experience, while Ian is a talented and athletic player. Both players fit our game style and will help strengthen our team.”
Awaziem, 27, joins the Rapids after one season at Cincinnati, where he made 14 appearances and had three assists. He has played for top European clubs like FC Porto, Boavista FC, and Hajduk Split in Croatia, where he won the Croatian Football Cup in 2023. He has also represented Nigeria 33 times, including at the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Awaziem’s contract with the Rapids runs through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027. He will provide extra depth to the Rapids’ defense as they prepare for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, starting with a match against Los Angeles FC. Dates for the match are yet to be confirmed.
