CF Montréal to acquire Caden Clark from Minnesota United

Highlights

CF Montréal have agreed a deal to acquire midfielder Caden Clark in a trade with Minnesota United, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.
Clark has made 23 appearances for Minnesota during the 2024 season.
Montréal see Clark as an attacking midfielder and believe he has a higher ceiling to reach.

CF Montréal have agreed a deal to acquire midfielder Caden Clark in a trade with Minnesota United, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

The move gives Clark a fresh start in Montréal, who believe the 21-year-old still has another level he can reach. Minnesota use the deal to free up some salary cap space as the club continues to evolve the roster under sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad and head coach Eric Ramsay.

Clark has made 23 appearances for Minnesota in 2024, though lately many of those have come at wingback in Ramsay’s three-back system after Clark was initially playing further up the field. The player’s versatility helped get him on the field, but he never seemed like a natural fit as a wingback.

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Caden Clark’s Career Path

Young U.S. midfielder has experienced plenty in just a few years

Clark broke through at the New York Red Bulls as an attacking midfielder. Montréal view him primarily playing there in their 3-4-2-1 formation, or perhaps as a No. 8 if needed. But either way, they want him in the middle of the field.

His breakout with RBNY earned him a transfer to RB Leipzig in 2021, but Clark never made a senior debut for the German side, being loaned back to the Red Bulls twice and to Danish side Vendsyssel FF before joining Minnesota in 2024.

Year	Club	Matches Played	Goals	Assists
2020	NY Red Bulls	7	2	0
2021	NY Red Bulls (loaned by RB Leipzig)	24	4	5
2022	NY Red Bulls (loaned by RB Leipzig)	16	1	2
2023	– RB Leipzig (Germany) – Vendsyssl FF (Denmark)	2	0	0
2024	Minnesota United	23	0	1

Clark secured the transfer to Leipzig after generating plenty of buzz with his hot start for the NY Red Bulls, notching seven goals and three assists in his first 1,800 minutes for the MLS club. But he never found the same level of production during his subsequent loan stints back in New York.

Montréal has had success trading for players within MLS and maximizing their potential, particularly with the likes of Djordje Mihailovic, Alistair Johnston, Bryce Duke and more.

Both clubs are still in playoff contention in their respective conferences: Minnesota sit 9th in the Western Conference, while Montréal are 11th in the East.

Caden Clark Career Timeline

Transfer to RB Leipzig does not result in a senior appearance

June 23, 2021: Caden Clark undergoes appendectomy, interrupting his best run with RBNY and causing him to miss four MLS matches and the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the USMNT.
June 24, 2021: RB Leipzig acquire Clark and allow him to stay with RBNY through the end of 2021.
Jan. 2022: Clark returns to NY Red Bulls on loan from Leipzig, joining late in preseason. A combination of USMNT camps and injuries lead to only 16 appearances with RBNY.
Jan. 2023: Clark remains with RB Leipzig due to an injury crisis at the club, but does not appear in any matches. He made the matchday squad for five Bundesliga matches and one DFB Pokal match.
Sept. 2023: Clark is sent on loan by RB Leipzig to Danish 2nd division side Vendsyssl FF after a deadline day move to MLS’s Minnesota United is not processed in time. He would be forced to join Minnesota in January 2024.
Oct. 2023: Minnesota fire head coach Adrian Heath, who forged a close relationship with Clark.
Jan. 2024: Clark joins Minnesota United on a permanent deal from RB Leipzig.
March 16, 2024: New Minnesota manager Eric Ramsay coaches his first MLS match.