Image: Minnesota United FC
After signing a new DP striker, experienced winger, and young fullback, Minnesota United looked to be set with the deals they had already made in this year’s summer transfer window.
However, following a season ending injury to Kervin Arriaga, the Loons decided to get in on the action ahead of Wednesday night’s deadline, bringing in a very familiar face.
The club announced Thursday defensive midfielder Ján Greguš will be rejoining the squad in a trade with Nashville SC.
In exchange, Minnesota are sending Nashville a second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and $75,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM).
Greguš spent three seasons with the Loons from 2019-2021, making 63 appearances during that time, mostly paired alongside MLS and MNUFC legend Ozzie Alonso. The Slovakian international put together quite the two-year stretch in 2019 and a covid-impacted 2020, starting 48 matches during that time and racking up 14 assists.
2021 would be a different story, however, as Greguš found himself down on the depth chart. During the campaign, he only started nine matches and came off the bench six times. The midfielder was selected by San Jose in MLS’ Re-Entry Draft following the season.
In his lone season out west, Greguš was paired up with Minnesotan and U.S. international Jackson Yueill, making 27 appearances and notching five assists. Following the 2022 campaign, he became a free agent and signed with Nashville SC. This season, Greguš has made 15 total appearances, including one start, for a side that currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference.
After seemingly falling out of favor in the final season of his first stint in Minnesota, it will be interesting to see how the now MLS veteran is utilized by Heath and Co. If Greguš can somehow find the magic that led to his performances in 2019 and 2020, his addition will be a huge boost for the Loons.
David Naylor