Major League Soccer this week released the list of players eligible for free agency, including Midfielder Paulo Nagamura of Sporting Kansas City.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement that was signed prior ro the 2015 season, all MLS players who are out of contract, are at least 28 years old and have been in the league at least eight years are eligible for free agency.
Twenty-six players are part of the first free agent class highlighted by 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee. Fourteen players on the list have won an MLS Cup while 12 have been named MLS All-Stars in their career. Clubs were allowed to start negotiating with free agents on Tuesday.
In addition, MLS released the list of 60 players eligible for Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft. Stage One will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday. Out-of-contract players who are at least 23 and have a minimum of three years of MLS experience or are at least 25 with a minimum of four years of league experience are eligible for Re-Entry.
Players selected in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft will be able to sign with their new club for their current contract option for 2016. Players unselected in Stage 1 will be eligible for Stage 2; picks from Stage 2 will negotiate new deals with their new clubs.
Midfielder Paulo Nagamura is the lone player from Sporting KC’s 2015 roster eligible for free agency, while defenders Seth Sinovic and Jalil Alibaba are eligible for the Re-Entry Draft. Sporting KC announced last month that is currently in negotiations with Nagamura and Sinovic in addition to Jon Kempin and Mikey Lopez, who are both out of contract as of Dec. 31.