Official: Minnesota United signs Finnish attacking midfielder Robin Lod

Minnesota United has completed their first action of Major League Soccer’s 2019 summer transfer window.

The Loons announced the acquisition of Finnish attacking midfielder Robin Lod from the Spanish second division’s Sporting Gijon, pending visa and ITC clearance. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) will be used in the deal.

“We’re really excited that he’s decided to join us. This is a player that we’ve been trying to get here since his Panathinaikos days, before he went to Spain. We’ve been following him very closely ever since,” said Minnesota manager Adrian Heath. “I think his game suits the MLS to a T and I’m expecting big things from him. He can score goals, he can make goals, he can play three or four positions.”

Lod, 26, is a versatile left-footed attacker with 33 caps for the Finland national team. He has played on both sides as a winger and centrally as a midfielder.

He plays on the Finland national team with current United midfielder Rasmus Schuller. The two were teammates from 2012 to 2015 with HJK in their native country.

Lod signed with Gijon in 2018 after a successful spell in Greece with Panathinaikos. He struggled to fit in with the Spanish side, making 23 total appearances and scoring 4 goals. During his 3-year spell in Greece, he scored 12 times in 75 games.

Lod will likely occupy an international slot for Minnesota. The Loons currently have two open, according to the league website.

At 5’11” and 170 lbs, Lod is a little bit bigger than typical wingers, but could use that size as a physical advantage on the flanks.

The MLS secondary transfer window is open until August 7th, and intra-league trades are allowed until August 8th. MLS clubs are required to submit final 30-man rosters on August 30th