Colorado Rapids defender Chris Klute traded to Columbus Crew SC in draft-day exchange

Defender Chris Klute is headed away from Colorado, ending his two-year stint at the club that included a loan move from the Atlanta Silverbacks of NASL.

Columbus Crew SC executed a trade that sent its 14th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft to Colorado for Klute and a 19th overall pick.

The club’s official website divulged some interesting statistics detailing the play of the former Furman standout, whom Jurgen Klinsmann named to the United States’ January roster at the start of 2014.

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Klute, 24, logged 2,132 minutes over 25 appearances (24 starts) for Colorado in 2014. He led the club in crosses from open play (51) and tackles won (67), as well as ranked third on the team in touches (1,634). In 2013, Klute made a career-high 31 appearances (30 starts), registering seven assists to lead the club. He won the club’s Defensive Player of the Year award, as voted upon by his teammates and technical staff, and received mention in consideration for the MLS Best XI.

“Chris is a player we’ve been tracking for the last year,” Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. “We identified him as a player that can fit well into our system of play. He’s a very dynamic full back that likes to get into the attack and his versatility makes him an option on either side of the field.”

With the 19th overall pick, Crew selected Jamaican defender Sergio Campbell from the University of Connecticut.