COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have signed defender Daniel Chacón from their MLS NEXT Pro side, Rapids 2, to a two-year deal through the 2025 MLS season with a club option for an additional year. The club also announced Chacón has been loaned to Costa Rican side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the Liga de Fútbol de Primera División (Liga FPD) for the remainder of the 2023 season, effective immediately.
“We’re pleased to secure Danny’s long-term future with the club,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “At his young age, Danny has already featured in a World Cup and is quickly carving a place for himself with Costa Rica’s national team. His signing underscores how our MLS NEXT Pro side can serve as an important platform to bring in talent with the potential to break into the first team. We look forward to seeing his continued development as he briefly returns to Costa Rica with Alajuelense for their coming Apertura season.”
Chacón, 22, becomes the first Rapids 2 player to sign a permanent First Team deal with the club since the MLS NEXT Pro side’s inception in 2022. He originally joined Rapids 2 in June 2022 from Costa Rican side C.S. Cartaginés and was immediately loaned back to the side for the remainder of the year in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where Chacón featured for Costa Rica.
A native of Turrialba, Costa Rica, Chacón began his professional career with his hometown club, Cartaginés. Including his loan, Chacón made 117 appearances for Los Azules across all competitions, scoring five goals and delivering a pair of assists, helping the side win their first league title in over 80 years during his time with the club.
At the international level, Chacón has nine caps with the Costa Rican national team after making his debut in a 0-0 draw against Mexico in FIFA World Cup Qualifying on January 31, 2022. The young center back was named to Cost Rica’s roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and featured for Los Ticos in their 1-0 win over Japan in the tournament’s group stage.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign defender Daniel Chacón from MLS Next Pro side Rapids 2 to a two-year contract through the 2025 MLS season with a club option for an additional year. Additionally, Chacón will join Liga de Fútbol de Primera División side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense on loan for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Daniel Chacón
Pronunciation: dah-nee-EL cha-KOHN
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Birthdate: April 11, 2001
Birthplace: Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica
Nationality: Costa Rica
