The Houston Dynamo have acquired forward Niko Hansen in a trade with Columbus Crew SC, the clubs announced today.
The Dynamo sent Columbus $75,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money in the trade.
Hansen has scored four goals and contributed five assists in three seasons in Major League Soccer, all with Columbus. The winger helped Crew SC advance to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in each of his first two seasons, seeing action in both of Columbus’ playoff games.
“We’d like to welcome Niko Hansen to the Houston Dynamo. He is a player who we’ve tracked since he joined the league and we think has the attributes and capacity to grow with our club, while providing immediate competition within the group,” said Dynamo Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “We are confident that the additions of Niko, Christian Ramírez and José Bizama during this transfer window put us in good position to make a strong run toward the playoffs.”
After entering the league as the ninth overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, the versatile attacker saw action in 14 games as a rookie, including 11 at right wing, two on the left flank and one at forward. He scored the game-winning goal on his professional debut, netting an 85th-minute winner in a 3-2 win over Portland, and finished his rookie campaign with a goal and two assists.
Hansen followed that up in 2018 with career highs in appearances (22), starts (11), minutes (1,041), goals (three) and assists (three). Of his three goals, two were game-tying scores and the third was a game-winner. One of his assists set up a game-winning goal while another helped level the score in a match. Hansen has appeared in nine games this season, starting two.
"Niko is a player who we have been following because we really like the way he plays and what he could bring to the team. He is a very dynamic forward who likes to play and take players on,” said Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera. “He is good playing out wide, he has speed, he is brave and looks to create problems against any defense. We hope that he joins us with a lot of motivation to push for the last part of the season and try to make the playoffs.”
Born in Randers, Denmark and raised in Sacramento, California, Hansen has dual citizenship and would be eligible to represent the United States or Denmark at the international level. He played four seasons at the University of New Mexico, making 79 appearances (65 starts), scoring 28 goals and providing 14 assists while earning All-Conference USA honors twice.
With the addition of Hansen, the Dynamo now have 29 players on the active roster.
PLAYER PROFILE – NIKO HANSEN
FULL NAME:
Nikolaj Hansen
NICKNAME: Niko
DATE OF BIRTH: September 14, 1994 (24 years old)
HEIGHT: 5-10
WEIGHT: 170
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, Calif.
BIRTHPLACE: Randers, Denmark
FIFA NATIONALITY: United States / Denmark
TRANSACTION: The Houston Dynamo acquire MF Niko Hansen in a trade with Columbus Crew SC in exchange for $75,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money.
