If there were ever a perfect example of the differing economics of MLS and the Premier League, Brad Smith may be it. Despite just a handful of first-team appearances, the 24-year-old left back was apparently earning a salary in excess of $1 million while playing for a mid-table team in England. As a 22-year-old, Bournemouth was willing to pay a transfer fee reported to be in excess of $6 million.
In MLS, those are the type of numbers reserved for Designated Players.
Of course, he won’t be a DP for the Sounders. MLSsoccer.com’s Sam Stejskal was able to get some of the details of his loan, which Targeted Allocation Money helps make pretty reasonable.