The Colorado Rapids have successfully addressed the gap left by Chidozie Awaziem’s departure last month by signing center back Rob Holding from Crystal Palace, as announced on Sunday. The transfer, which is a free deal, will keep Holding with the Rapids until the end of the 2026 season.
Holding, 29, spent the majority of his career with Arsenal, a club also linked to the Rapids through their common ownership under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. His standout season came in 2020-21 when he clocked over 2,500 minutes across 30 appearances. However, in recent years, he has struggled to find consistent playing time in the Premier League, not exceeding 1,000 minutes in any season outside of his career-high year.
Last year, Holding’s situation with Crystal Palace was complicated, as he found himself in conflict with coach Oliver Glasner. Glasner noted that Holding was training separately from the main squad and was involved in matches with the U-21 team. Ultimately, he was loaned to Sheffield United in the latter half of the 2024-25 season.
Following his exit from Crystal Palace last week, Holding is now in Colorado, though he faces a wait to train with the team due to the process of obtaining a work visa. This is reminiscent of forward Rafael Navarro’s experience in 2023, where he had to wait over a month for his visa before making his debut.
Holding’s addition is seen as a strong replacement for Awaziem, who was regarded as the Rapids’ top defender before making a quick return to FC Nantes in France. The Rapids recently bolstered their defense further by signing 19-year-old Noah Cobb on loan from Atlanta United, enhancing their lineup as they look to strengthen their chances in the league.
With these new acquisitions, the Colorado Rapids are positioning themselves to tackle the upcoming season with optimism, hoping that Holding’s experience will bring stability and leadership to their defense.