NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Soccer will hold its first re-entry draft on Dec. 8 and 15 as part of last spring’s labor settlement.
The first day of the draft will include players 23 and older with three years of MLS service whose options were declined, and players 25 and up with four years of service who were not re-signed after their contracts expired, the league said Wednesday.
Players in the first group can be selected for their option salaries, and players in the second group can be picked for their 2010 salaries. If players in the second group are 30 and older, they must be paid 105 percent of their old salaries.
Players not picked on the first day can be selected on Dec. 15 by clubs who will negotiate new salaries. Players not picked on either day will be free agents.
