Minnesota United complete signing of Kemar Lawrence from Toronto FC via trade

Minnesota United have completed the signing of full-back Kemar Lawrence from Toronto FC via trade, the clubs announced Thursday.

As Lawrence heads out the door, TFC will receive the college-protected period priority rights to 2021 MLS SuperDraft pick Sean O’Hearn and a conditional $50,000 in General Allocation Money in either 2022 or 2023.

“Kemar is a player we’ve been looking at for three to four years," Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath said in a club press release.

"He’s someone who is highly experienced and knows the league inside out. He’s just come back from a successful spell at Anderlecht, playing in the biggest club in Belgium, where he did so well they wanted to keep him. [We are] delighted to bring him in."

Lawrence will provide some much-needed depth for the Loons after full-back Chase Gasper entered the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) Program for personal reasons on a voluntary basis. Gasper will be unavailable until given clearance from SABH doctors.

29-year-old Lawrence arrived in MLS with the New York Red Bulls in 2015 and won two Supporters' Shield titles in five seasons with the club. After a short stay in Belgium with Anderlecht, Toronto FC brought the 74-time Jamaica international back across the Atlantic in 2021.

Lawrence is the fourth full-back TFC have let go this winter alongside Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest), Auro Jr (Santos, loan), and Justin Morrow (retirement).