2017 MLS Defender Of The Year Demands A Pay Rise To Remain At Sporting Kansas

Published: December 11, 2018

American-born Nigerian defender Ike Opara is demanding a pay rise to remain at Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2019 season.

The central defender penned a new deal with Sporting Kansas City before the start of last season and received $342,916.63 in guaranteed compensation in 2018.

According to ESPN, Opara's preference is to finish his career in Sporting Kansas City, but he'd like to make more money, and if any trade offers came in for him from other teams, he has told the club to consider them.

The 29-year-old has been playing in Major League Soccer for nine seasons, six for Sporting Kansas City whom he joined from San Jose Earthquakes in 2013.

Opara was named the 2017 MLS Defender of the Year after helping Sporting Kansas City keep eleven clean sheets and conceding a league low 29 goals.

A former United States U20 and U23 international, his only cap for USMNT was in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzogvina in January 2018.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : sportingkc.com