Sporting Kansas City has traded midfielder Lawrence Olum to the Portland Timbers in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money and a natural first-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
“Lawrence has been a part of some great games, teams and trophies during his time with the club,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. “We appreciate his service in Kansas City and wish him well in Portland.”
Olum, 32, spent five seasons with Sporting Kansas City, recording five goals and four assists in 105 appearances across all competitions. His first stint with the club spanned from 2011 to 2014, highlighted by two major championships hoisted at Children’s Mercy Park. Olum logged 120 minutes in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final and played the last 112 minutes of the 2013 MLS Cup.
A member of the Kenya Men’s National Team since 2014, Olum joined Malaysian side Kedah FA in 2015 before returning to Sporting Kansas City last season. He ended the 2016 campaign with two goals and one assist in 19 MLS appearances, helping Sporting KC reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for a club-record sixth straight year.
Olum previously played for Portland from 2007 to 2008 when the club competed in the USL First Division, scoring six goals in 44 games.
– Story from Sporting KC