UPDATE

The Norwegian website TV2 just reported that Koomson allegedly failed his medical test and the deal with the Rapids fell through. Sporting director Sogndal Håvard Flo of Sogndal did not confirm nor deny anything that happened, and said that “We are glad Gilbert stays with us. He is motivated and in shape to train with us now.”

See the whole interview here (you’ll have to translate it):

http://www.tv2.no/a/8872890/

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Rapids to buy winger Gilbert Koomson from Sogndal

The quiet period of the Rapids transfer window is, apparently, over. First, there were rumors of the signing of defensive midfielder Bismark Adjei-Boateng from Manchester City. Then, the team signed two Homegrown players, Kortne Ford and Ricardo Perez, from the Rapids Academy.

And now there are reports the Rapids could be close to announcing the signing of Ghanaian international Gilbert Koomson. Ghanaian website Ghanasoccernet.com is reporting “Sources close to the deal have told Ghana's leading football news website that the two clubs have agreed a fee for the move to materialise,” and that the deal could be completed this week.

Koomson is a 22 year-old right wing who recently completed a full season in the Tippeligaen, the Norwegian first division, for Sogndal. Before that, he spent 2013-15 playing in Thailand for BEC Tero Sasana and Samut Songkhram *.

From his highlight reel, you can tell he has pace and acceleration, plays on the wing, and delivers passes and crosses well.

Koomson received his first cap for Ghana this past October in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda. He was left off the roster for the Black Stars heading into this month’s African Cup of Nations; but that roster is loaded with talent currently playing for big clubs in the first division in England, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and beyond.

Sogndal purportedly are receiving a $600,000 transfer fee from the Rapids for Koomson. Ghanasoccernet.com reported incorrectly that Sogndal were due to be relegated. Their 11th place finish in 2016 has them safe from the drop. Terms of Koomson’s salary were not reported.

Colorado were due to sign a couple of midfielders this off-season after declining the options on Sebastien Le Toux, Zac Pfeffer, and Marco Pappa, and trading the rights to Jermaine Jones to the LA Galaxy. Currently in the attacking midfield, the team had only Shkelzen Gashi, Dillon Powers, and Marlon Hairston. Dillon Serna will join them when he returns from injury.

Koomson projects pretty clearly as a right midfielder in Pablo Mastroeni’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, although his pace might also make him a potential striker in the mold of Deshorn Brown. However, it may be an adjustment from the Tippeligaen to MLS; from the massive travel distances, the altitude, the wild variations in temperature, the style of play and the level of play, it often takes players from abroad six months to a year in the league to fully adjust.

Koomson will certainly be a welcome reinforcement on the flanks for the Rapids as they begin their 2017 campaign that will see them playing not only in MLS and the US Open Cup, but also adding the CONCACAF Champions League beginning in Fall 2017. We will keep you updated on anything that develops regarding Koomson or any other transfers that come the Rapids way in this busy off-season.

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* This is the crest for Samutsongkhram. It’s a fish, jumping over a drum, eating a soccer ball. How awesome is that?