Two MLS clubs, Columbus Crew and New England Revolution have completed swap deals for Dejuan Jones and Will Sands.
Details of the deals as disclosed by the MLS website reveal that Columbus Crew has swapped defensive midfielder Will Sands for defender Dejuan Jones.
They have also paid $600,000 as part of the deal with Will Sands joining the New England Revolution while Dejuan Jones moving in the opposite direction.
Additionally, the two clubs are reportedly entitled to sell-clause if the players are sold in the future to overseas clubs.
Dejuan Jones
Dejuan Jones is an American professional football player, who plays for MLS club New England Revolution but is now set for a spell with Columbus Crew.
Born on June 27, 1997, Jones began his career at East Lansing High School in 2011, where he spent his youth career. After three years with the team, he joined Michigan State Partans for his college soccer career.
Jones played for Michigan State Spartans for three years, made 76 appearances for the team, and scored 16 goals.
In 2017, he made his first senior club career appearance with Myrtle Beach Mutiny – a South Carolina-based outfit.
He made only 8 appearances for the team, scoring 4 goals before joining Lansing United in 2018. At Lansing United, he made 9 appearances, scoring 5 goals.
In 2019, Dejuan Jones was picked as the 11th overall in the 2019 MLS Super Draft by the New England Revolution. He had made 142 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals.
On the international scene, the 27-year-old made his USA senior national team debut in 2023 and has been capped eight times.
Dejuan Jones contract
Dejuan Jones has a running contract with New England Revolution till 2027. He signed a four-year contract with the club in 2024. He has been swapped for fellow MLS star Will Sands and will continue his career with Columbus Crew.
Will Sands
William Franklin Sands, simply known as, Will Sands, is an American professional soccer star, who played for the Columbus crew but will continue his career with New England Revolution following a swap deal.
Sands, born on July 6, 2000, began his youth career with New York Soccer Club in 2010. He played for 5 years with the team before moving to New York City FC in 2015.
After four years with New York City FC youth team, he joined Georgetown Hoyas for his college soccer career. At Georgetown Hoyas, Sands made 52 appearances for the team, scoring 4 goals.
He began his first senior career spell with Manhattan in 2021 and scored 4 goals in 10 appearances for the club. After a season with Manhattan SC, Will Sands signed for Columbus Crew as a homegrown player. He played for both the club’s reserve and first team from 2022 to 2024, making 31 appearances.
Will Sands has yet to earn his call-up to the USA national team and will hope to do so as he continues growing in his career.
Sands will continue his career with the New England Revolution going forward following Columbus Crew’s swap deal with the club.