Columbus Crew have confirmed that Motherwell winger Chris Cadden has joined the club, but is heading straight back to the UK for a season-long loan with Oxford United.
Oxford were reportedly after the winger earlier in the window according to the Scottish Sun. Now they have got him through, what looks like from the outside looking in, quite a shady deal.
They’ve exposed a compensation loophole to get him for nothing on loan. The Daily Record reportedly recently that the Steelmen believe they are eligible for £250,000 in compensation, with the BBC claiming this deal could cost the club €280,000.
Some Motherwell fans have reacted to the announcement.
https://twitter.com/EH_AYE_/status/1153790388823420928
https://twitter.com/claret_ted/status/1153750400295755786
https://twitter.com/pedromonendo/status/1153743162621476864
Has Cadden soured his Motherwell relations
It’ll be a real shame if Motherwell get nothing from this. After raising him as a footballer, this is a bit of a stab in the back from Cadden and his representatives.
Both Columbus and Oxford should hang their heads in shame after such a deal. They’ve clearly engineered this so that they both have to pay next to nothing for him.
It sets a worrying precedent. From here it looks like Oxford really wanted Cadden permanently but FIFA rules would have meant that they would have had to have paid a six figure fee for him.
Instead, they’ve devised an alternative via a third club. It’s smart business, but morally bankrupt.
It may have soured Cadden’s relationship with the Fir Park club. For some, this move will overshadow some of the things he achieved in claret and amber.
This deal has turned very ugly, but at least the end is in sight and Motherwell can move on from it.