Trade: Nashville SC acquire Handwalla Bwana from Seattle Sounders for Jimmy Medranda

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade

Nashville SC have acquired winger Handwalla Bwana from the Seattle Sounders in exchange for versatile midfielder Jimmy Medranda as well as $225,000 in General Allocation Money, the clubs announced Wednesday. The Sounders could receive an additional $25,000 in GAM if incentives are met.

Bwana, 21, has four goals in 32 regular season appearances across three seasons after signing a Homegrown deal with the Sounders. He made 14 career starts for Seattle and reportedly will sign a contract extension with Nashville, which factored into the Sounders' decision to let go of the player, head coach Brian Schmetzer said over the weekend.

He will figure into Nashville's options on the wing, alongside fellow trade acquisition Alex Muyl, Randall Leal, David Accam and others. 

“Handwalla is one of the exciting young attacking prospects in the league, and we feel very fortunate to be able to add him to our group,” Nashville GM Mike Jacobs said in a club statement. “His ability to threaten defenses both on and off the ball makes him a constant attacking presence, and his work rate on both sides of the ball make him a menace to play against.”

Highlights: Bwana's MLS goals reel

Medranda, 26, originally came to MLS in 2013 with Sporting KC but injuries have limited his minutes so far in his career, making more than 12 appearances in a season just twice so far. He was selected by Nashville in the 2019 Expansion Draft and made one appearance with the first-year MLS club.

He can play anywhere down the left flank, from left back to left wing.

“We would like to thank Handwalla for his contributions to our organization, and we wish him success in the next step of his journey with Nashville,” Sounders GM & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said. “We are pleased to welcome Jimmy to the club, and we look forward to working him into our squad as quickly as possible. Additionally, the General Allocation Money being acquired as part of this agreement gives us valuable roster flexibility for the future.”

The Sounders are tied for first place in the Western Conference while Nashville currently sit eighth in the East.