The Colorado Rapids have confirmed the signing of Rob Holding on a free transfer, with the player having terminated his contract with Crystal Palace.
The Colorado Rapids have announced the signing of Rob Holding on a free transfer, confirming that the defender has signed an 18-month deal through to the end of the 2026 season.
The MLS runs on a calendar-year basis, so the contract will see him play the remainder of the current campaign as well as the one after that.
“It’s a place I’ve always wanted to come and play my football,” Holding said of the move across the Atlantic. “I’ve just got a really good feeling that this was the right place.
“I’m looking forward to playing at the stadium, the atmosphere, the fan section. They’ve got the drums going and the flags and the banners. It’ll be nice to have that behind me.
“Denver is a city I definitely feel I could settle down, and a place to call home.”
Crystal Palace had revealed Holding’s departure from the club last week, sharing a brief 52-word statement on the exit.
With Holding playing just one first-team match for Palace in his two seasons at the club and falling out with manager Oliver Glasner, it’s perhaps not surprising they didn’t have more to say about him.
The Colorado Rapids confirmed in their announcement that Holding moved on a free transfer, not for a fee, verifying reports that he terminated his deal with the south London club.
The Rapids are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, just like Arsenal, so it will be Holding’s second spell under the same owners.
Arsenal sold Holding to Palace for just £1m, with another £2.5m potentially due in add-ons. It’s unlikely any of those add-ons were activated.
Yet despite the low fee, Palace have still ended up making a loss on the centre-back, losing him for nothing.