The MLS Soccer Website has shed some light on what’s actually gone on with Andrew Gutman. The player was playing away from the top flight of US football with Charlotte Independence last season. This was after a move to an MLS club failed last term because Chicago Fire still heard his MLS registration.
This meant that until Chicago Fire relinquished his registration they could demand a fee for the Celtic player from any other club in the MLS. This looks to have happened with Gutman getting a move to Cincatti.
Cincinnati made the signing possible earlier in the week when they acquired Gutman’s rights from the Chicago Fire (along with a third round pick in the 2020 SuperDraft) in exchange for $50,000 in 2019 General Allocation Money (GAM), plus up to an additional $150,000 in GAM if he was added to the roster and meets certain performance incentives.
Gutman also confirmed he had signed a new deal with Celtic to extend his stay at the club after spending preseason with Neil Lennon and the bhoys. However, Celtic have not even reported on this like they usually would when a contract extension happens.
Gutman was signed alongside Manny Perez in double US deal with both staying in the States after signing for Celtic. Work permit issues have to be something to do with things.
It’s a crazy state of affairs when you have one club negotiating with a completely separate other club for the rights to a player who is under contract at Celtic.
Gutman will remain on loan to Cincinnati for the MLS season now. The hope is he forces his way into the US setup.
