Record sale for Rapids as teenager heads to Premier League

Australia international Lucas Herrington has joined Premier League new-boys Hull City in a deal that could be worth up to $23m (£17m), the highest fee Colorado Rapids have ever received for a player.

The 18-year-old centre-back, who turns 19 in September, moved to the Rapids in the winter after making his senior debut at 17 in December 2024 for Brisbane Roar. Twenty appearances and less than seven months after his MLS debut, Herrington is now on the move again.

Wells hails example for MLS youngsters

Speaking ahead of Saturday's home game against Sporting Kansas City, head coach Matt Wells said the transfer should serve as proof that players who excel for Colorado in MLS can have big futures elsewhere.

"What an incredible and well-deserved achievement for Lucas to be heading to the Premier League," Wells said. "From the outset, Lucas embraced absolutely every element of the environment we set out to create here."

"In our first meeting, he expressed to me that his ambition was to play 'some minutes' this season in MLS. Just a few months later, he has played in a World Cup and is now Premier League-bound."

Wells added: "He's a brilliant example of the type of people we want to bring to Colorado, those who are excited by our dominant style of football and ready to push themselves every single day to be world-class. At the beginning, I told everyone we would play in the image of a 'big team' and therefore demand that our individuals perform like big players. Lucas has done that consistently, and as a result, he has been recognised on the biggest stages."

Herrington impressed while representing Australia at the World Cup, starting two of the Socceroos' four matches as they reached the round of 32 before losing to Egypt.

Rapid rise and global interest

The Rapids began scouting Herrington intensely after his Brisbane Roar debut and secured him in May, with Rapids president Pádraig Smith saying the club "couldn't wait, we needed to jump on" the opportunity.

Herrington won a starting spot immediately for the Rapids and continued his impressive performances from Brisbane straight away. Interest quickly turned to bids.

"It became clear very quickly in Lucas' time here at the club, he was going to be an in-demand player for some of the biggest clubs and leagues in the world," Smith said. Barcelona came to scout him in person this spring and made an official bid before the World Cup, sources say worth around $7 million, which the Rapids rejected. Liverpool was among many clubs that sent scouts as well.

"There's no doubt it's a big step but he has the talent, and more importantly, the mentality and character to adapt to that level," Smith said. "I think his ceiling is huge. He can play at the very highest level. He will prove MLS players are ready to take that step."

"Hull came in with an aggressive position and we got to a level we felt was appropriate for a player not only for Lucas' potential, but what he's performing at right now," Smith added. "I think you see that in the commitment Hull has made."

Record fee and reinvestment plans

Herrington's fee doubles that of Colorado's second-highest departure and is one of the most expensive deals in MLS history. It eclipses previous sales including Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto FC for $8 million, Moise Bombito to OGC Nice for $7.7 million and Auston Trusty to Arsenal for $3 million.

In the spring, with interest swirling, the Rapids reached out to Brisbane Roar, who held a 20% sell-on clause. Colorado bought it out for just under $400,000. Twenty percent of this transfer would have been worth around an initial $3.4 million.

"It's a milestone for us as a club but also for us as a league," Smith said. "It's really important we're starting to see activity from MLS clubs in the global transfer market that is comparable to what was previously seen as 'bigger leagues'. This deal showcases MLS for what it is: A top-tier league globally that produces young talent that can go into top leagues and play right from the get go."

Colorado are currently 11th in the Western Conference, two points adrift of the final wild-card spot. The club has been working to reinvest the funds, with Paxten Aaronson arriving last summer after Mihailovic's departure, followed this winter by Hamzat Ojediran, Dante Sealy, Georgi Minoungou and Loic Williams. Williams played three times with Herrington but is now a new defensive anchor, with first-choice partner Rob Holding.

"This is an incredible opportunity for us to be bold," Smith said. "Being bold, sometimes that means making tough decisions. This gives us the chance to add to the group that is unprecedented. We have clear plans."

Players to watch: Rapids vs Sporting KC

Colorado host Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. For the Rapids, Rafael Navarro scored a 94th-minute penalty in the 1-0 win over Austin FC on August 1, his second successful penalty in the 90th minute or later this regular season, making him one of three MLS players with two such goals in 2026 alongside Evander and Tai Baribo.

Sporting's Dejan Joveljic has scored 10 of the team's 26 road goals in MLS play since joining Kansas City last season.