FC Dallas today announced that the team has finalized the transfer of defender Chris Gbandi to FK Haugesund of the Norwegian Second Division. Per team and league policy, terms of the transfer were not disclosed.
"We're proud that Chris was able to develop as a professional here in Dallas," said FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock. "We want to thank him for his service to our club, both on and off the field, and wish him all the best in Norway."
Dallas selected Gbandi with the number one overall pick in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. In six seasons with FCD, Gbandi started 100 of the 111 games in which he appeared, scoring three goals and tallying eight assists. He is one of only 14 players in team history to appear in over 100 regular season games.
At the conclusion of the 2006 season, local media selected Gbandi as the team's Defender of the Year after appearing in a career-high 28 games at left back. Gbandi's game-winning goal in the 2-1 win over RSL on May 20, 2007, not only won MLS Goal of the Week honors, but was also voted by the FCD fans as the team's Goal of the Year. For his veteran leadership experience, Gbandi represented the team as its captain in six games last season.
"We thank Chris for his effort and commitment to FC Dallas over the course of his career," said FCD Head Coach Steve Morrow. "We believe this is the right move for Chris at this stage of his life and we wish the very best for him in the future."
During his tenure in Dallas, the 29-year-old played under three head coaches and in all three of Dallas' home stadiums - The Cotton Bowl, Dragon Stadium, Pizza Hut Park. His goal in the 2-2 tie with San Jose on July 2, 2005, was the last goal scored by an FCD player at the Cotton Bowl, before the team moved to its new stadium, Pizza Hut Park.
While several players have transferred from the team to international clubs, Chris becomes the first to have started his professional soccer career with Dallas and remained with the club until his transfer overseas.
