Rapids trade fan-favorite winger Michael Barrios to LA Galaxy

With the final moves of the MLS secondary transfer window being announced Thursday, the Colorado Rapids made a pair of moves official.

The deadline wrapped at 11 p.m. Wednesday, but if paperwork was submitted to the league office before the clock struck, teams could announce late-night moves the following day.

On Thursday, the Rapids announced the team had traded fan-favorite winger and Colombian international Michael Barrios to LA Galaxy in exchange for the Galaxy’s natural, first-round 2024 SuperDraft pick. Colorado would also receive an additional $50,000 in conditional 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM) if Barrios reaches certain performance metrics by the end of the 2023 MLS campaign.

Barrios, 32, became a team staple after he joined ahead of the 2021 season. He immediately became a hit with fans as his pace down the left-hand wing and his constant, road-runner-like energy off the ball. All told, Barrios scored 12 goals and added 16 assists in 87 total appearances for the Burgundy Boys.

He was a catalyst during the historic 2021 season as he led the team in scoring with eight goals and five assists, but since, his production has dropped off considerably as last year he had two goals and six assists. In 2023, he has chipped in four goal contributions, two goals and two assists as he has been used by head coach Robin Fraser as a super substitute for late-game contributions.

Barrios was the team’s seventh highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of $680,000, according to MLS Players Association data.

“We’re grateful to Mikey for his many contributions to the club during his time with us,” Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith said in a club statement. “He played a key role in our club-record rise to the top of the West in 2021 and was a model representative of our club off the pitch. We wish him nothing but the best as he embarks on this next stage of his career.”

Rapids make Tavares signing official

Also on Thursday morning, Colorado announced it had signed Sidnei Tavares from FC Porto in Portugal to an 11-month loan deal with an option to buy. The signing is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. As The Post reported Wednesday, Tavares will occupy a U22 Initiative roster slot, and the loan will run through June 30, 2024.

Tavares broke into English side Leicester City at age 19, where he earned a handful of Premier League minutes. He most recently played for Porto’s reserve side, chipping in four assists across 38 appearances.

“We’re delighted to add a player of Sidnei’s quality to our roster,” Smith said in a team statement. “Sidnei is a young, athletic midfielder who is technically gifted and has the attributes to immediately make an impact on both sides of the ball. We look forward to welcoming him to the club and getting him acclimated as quickly as possible.”

In all, Colorado made eight moves this summer — five inbound and three outbound — but the team still has the ability to add free agents, which can happen until the roster freeze date on Sept. 15. The Rapids are off until Aug. 20, when MLS play resumes.

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