Columbus trades Kei Kamara to New England Revolution

Columbus nets financial considerations and more for the embattled forward from the Revolution.

Columbus Crew SC has dealt forward Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution. 

Kamara, who engaged in a penalty-kick spat with teammate Federico Higuain Saturday night and then proceeded to badmouth Higuain afterward in his post-match comments, had been suspended for a game by Columbus. Reports suggested that Columbus was close to dealing Kamara to the Vancouver Whitecaps for Octavio Rivero on Wednesday night, but the deal fell through. Crew SC confirmed the deal to New England on Thursday, with it being completed prior to MLS's 1 a.m. deadline for intra-league moves, according to a press release.

In exchange for Kamara, Columbus nets lofty financial considerations, draft picks and an international roster spot.

#CrewSC has traded Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution.

— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) May 12, 2016

In return, #CrewSC gets TAM, GAM, first-rounder in 2017, second-rounder in 2018, international roster spot and cut of future transfer money.

— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) May 12, 2016

More Berhalter: "One person isn’t bigger than the club. We’ll deal with him not being here and we’ll move forward.” #CrewSC

— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) May 12, 2016

I’m told #Crew96 will receive a record amount of allocation money for Kamara; > $300,000.No other players involved. https://t.co/Csc5CdfdMr

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) May 12, 2016

“Kei had a memorable 2015 season and we recognize and understand how popular and productive he was, so this decision was not one we made lightly,” Columbus sporting director and manager Gregg Berhalter said in a statement. “Our actions will always reflect the values of our club and we believe this transaction will improve our competitiveness this year and in future years.”