COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), including $225,000 in 2024 GAM and $225,000 in 2025 GAM from Chicago Fire FC in exchange for defender Andrew Gutman, the club announced today. Chicago would receive a percentage of any future transfer fee if Navarro were transferred to a team outside of MLS.
“Miguel is one of the most talented, exciting young left backs in MLS,” said Rapids Sporting Director, Fran Taylor. “We’re excited to welcome him to the club, and we believe he can develop into a core piece of our team’s backline with his skillset.”
Navarro, 24, arrives in Colorado after spending the previous four seasons with Chicago Fire FC. The defender made 104 appearances for Chicago across all competitions, delivering 11 assists. Prior to joining Chicago in 2020, the Maracaibo, Venezuela, native spent the entirety of his career in the Primera División, Venezuela's top-flight professional league. Navarro played for Deportivo La Guaira from 2018 to 2019, following his professional debut with Deportivo JBL del Zulia in 2017.
“We are absolutely thrilled to add someone like Miguel to the club, he is an international caliber left back who knows MLS and has experience competing at the highest levels for Venezuela,” said Rapids Head Coach, Chris Armas.
At the international level, Navarro has nine caps with the senior Venezuelan National Team including a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Argentina. Most recently, Navarro was called up in November of 2023, marking a call up to the Vinotinto in three consecutive windows. Additionally, Navarro has made 15 appearances for Venezuela at the U-20 and U-23 level, competing in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the 2020 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Navarro will not occupy an international slot on the 2024 roster after receiving his U.S. Green Card on March 4, 2021.
Gutman joined the Rapids in July 2023 from Atlanta United FC and went on to make 12 regular season appearances for the Rapids, scoring one goal, in his lone season with the club.
“We want to thank Andrew for his work and commitment to our club during his time with the Rapids and wish him all the best in this next stage of his career,” said Taylor.
Miguel Navarro
Pronunciation: na-VAH-ro
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 154
Birthdate: February 26, 1999
Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela
Nationality: Venezuela
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids acquire defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), including $225,000 in 2024 GAM and $225,000 in 2025 GAM in exchange for defender Andrew Gutman.
