Caden Clark’s homecoming didn’t last one full season.
Minnesota United is in the process of trading the Wayzata native to CF Montreal, two source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Wednesday evening. Give Me Sport first reported the news.
The Loons will receive a for-now undisclosed amount of General Allocation Money and a pick in the MLS SuperDraft, one source said.
The 21-year-old was earning $382,000 in guaranteed compensation in 2024, according the the MLS Players Association, so the Loons will also receive some salary cap relief and roster space with the move for subsequent additions either yet this summer transfer window or down the road.
Clark was acquired under former manager Adrian Heath last summer and signed a two-year contract with two club options for 2026-27. The Loons spent what was deemed a smaller transfer fee to bring Clark home.
Clark played 1,032 minutes across 23 MLS games this season, but the attacking midfielder was primarily asked by new coach Eric Ramsay to play out of his preferred positions and as a wingback in the last dozen games. It wasn’t a good fit, and Montreal perhaps will return him to a position higher up the pitch.
“Sometimes in life, you have to pivot and take a step to challenge yourself to each new limits and sacrifice certain things to get to what you want to achieve,” Clark wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to Minnesota for giving me the opportunity to play in front of my hometown and family as I will be forever grateful for that. Love you all and I know the time was short. The club is in good hands and wish nothing but the best for my teammates and coaches here in Minnesota.”
Clark was also said to have a few minor injuries this season, including at least two that took him out of games in the buildup to kickoff.
In 2017, MNUFC didn’t include Clark’s age group when it started its academy, so the 13-year-old went to FC Barcelona’s academy in Arizona and then signed with New York Red Bulls, where he scored some wonderful goals. He then went to sister club RB Leipzig in 2022. But his acclimation to the German Bundesliga and life abroad wasn’t smooth, and he sought a return to Minnesota.
Instead of comfort, Clark had another bump in the road and will get yet another fresh start.
