The Colorado Rapids added a big piece to their back line Friday.
Colorado signed 28-year-old Andreas Maxsø from Danish club Brøndby IF on a three-year deal through the 2025 season with an option for a fourth year in Burgundy in 2026. He will occupy a Designated Player and international spot on the Rapids’ roster.
A transfer fee was not immediately available, however. He did have six months remaining on his deal in Denmark and while he could have been a free agent this summer, as a result of Colorado opting to buy the Danish center back now, Brøndby will still get a full-value deal.
Maxsø will be a significant addition on the defensive front, as Colorado conceded 59 goals across all competitions and failed to make the 2022 MLS Cup playoffs. Standing at 6-foot-3, the Dane could become a must-watch player in the Western Conference, and it’s a big reason why the Rapids’ front office have been so high on him.
“Andreas is an experienced and physically imposing center back who has led his side to a championship in a strong European league,” Rapids general manager Pádraig Smith said in a club statement. “His proven leadership and commanding presence will be a tremendous addition to our team as we tackle multiple competitions next season.”
Maxsø, who will be the eighth Designated Player in Colorado Rapids history and first defender DP, was a fan-favorite at Brøndby and three-year captain. He helped lead the team to a title in 2020, in addition to being the club’s player of the year. He also spent time playing in Turkey, well-known Swiss club FC Zürich, and a German third-division side.
In all, he tallied 112 appearances across all competitions for Brøndby, which included the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League campaign where he started six times.
He is a twice-capped Danish international, called in for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on four occasions but not used. He last earned a cap for his country last March.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, by the time his visa is approved, he will be able to join Colorado for the second half of its preseason. Fellow newcomer midfielder Connor Ronan should also be available by then. After Colorado’s time in Mexico, the team will re-group in Commerce City before flying to Orlando, Florida for the second half of its preseason.
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