The Colorado Rapids have completed the 12 month loan signing of Brazilian center forward Rafael Navarro with an option to a permanent deal.
Navarro, 23, will occupy one of the Rapids’ three Designated Players slots and brings with him an excellent reputation of being able to find the back of the net after 18 goals in 41 appearances for first club Botafogo.
Rafael Navarro completes MLS switch
While at current parent club Palmeiras, Navarro helped his side win the 2022 Brazilian top-flight title and the 2022 Recopa Sudamericana.
The Rapids are in desperate need for goals after scoring just 16 goals in 21 MLS matches and have paid an initial loan fee of $500,000 for the Brazilian’s services. In order to purchase Navarro outright, the Rapids would have to fork out an additional $4.5m next summer- taking a potential package to a total of $5m- which would smash the club’s current record transfer fee.
Navarro joins full-back Andrew Gutman as the club’s second signing this summer with the transfer window set to slam shut on August 2.
OFFICIAL: The club has acquired Brazilian striker Rafael Navarro on a 12-month loan from @Palmeiras with an option to make the transfer permanent.
Bem-vindo ao Colorado, Rafael!
📝» https://t.co/GetlFaTqHN pic.twitter.com/knBkUUt6tG
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 10, 2023
