Dominique Badji’s second stint with Rapids ends, signs with FC Cincinnati

Dominique Badji’s 2nd stint arsenic a subordinate of the Colorado Rapids officially came to an extremity Tuesday.

FC Cincinnati signed Badji done the 2022 season, with a nine enactment for 2023 and 2024.

Badji provided a immense spark for the Rapids successful the 2nd fractional of past play erstwhile helium joined from Nashville SC successful July. He scored 5 times and was a important seasoned presence, adding 3 game-winning goals successful 319 minutes dispersed crossed 12 appearances.

In all, helium spent 5 of his soon-to-be 8 seasons successful MLS with Colorado crossed 2 multi-year stints. Badji, 29, was drafted by the Rapids successful 2015 from Boston University, and his archetypal stint lasted until midway done the 2018 season. He made implicit 100 regular-season appearances for the nine and tallied 38 goals and 17 assists crossed his career.

He has played for implicit 10,000 minutes and volition look to beryllium arsenic effectual arsenic helium was successful 2021. Even with a abbreviated model to beryllium productive, helium was fantabulous successful beforehand of goal, and averaged 1.37 goals for each 90 minutes of action, by acold the highest people connected the team.

In a statement connected Instagram, helium thanked Colorado fans, teammates and staff.

“Thank you to the #Rapids96 faithful and the @coloradorapids enactment for the astonishing 4 months. My clip present was short-lived, but I permission with a bosom afloat of emotion for the radical of Colorado who person ever accepted maine arsenic 1 of their own.

“Colorado volition ever beryllium home. A spot wherever my feet whitethorn leave, but my bosom volition ever be.”

In the offseason, Badji’s declaration had expired. While some Badji and the enactment wanted to scope a woody for the 2022 play and were actively successful discussions, they were incapable to bash so.

With Badji leaving, the Rapids person 3 elder players astatine the guardant position: Diego Rubio, Andre Shinyashiki and 17-year aged Darren Yapi. The transportation model is unfastened and clubs are progressive looking for caller players. The Rapids could look to adhd much extent astatine forward.