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.
Cadden’s off to the MLS via Oxord. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
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.
Hope Oxford get relegated.#Karma
— Devil's Advocate (@EH_AYE_) July 23, 2019
Absolutely shit way to do business. Give us what we are due in the way of the development fee. How low could you get …
— Allan bryce (@Allanb67) July 23, 2019
Very poor Caddy after all our club has done for you and you leave us with nothing and we thought that you were ‘Well through and through #massiveletdown @MotherwellFC @TheWellSociety
— Claret Ted (@claret_ted) July 23, 2019
Disappointed in player and clubs involved. At least be honest if your going to shaft the club that’s looked after you for years even when badly injured
— peter casey (@pedromonendo) July 23, 2019
Wee bit shady.
— Busta (@BustaNut91) July 23, 2019
Any chance Motherwell will be compensated for this move? All seems like a pretty cinical ploy to deprive a fan owned club of much needed funds.
— Greig Barrie (@greigbarrie) July 23, 2019
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.
A bitter end it seems. (Photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
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’s poor from Oxford. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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.