CITY SC trades Löwen to San Jose

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis CITY SC has traded midfielder Eduard Löwen to the San Jose Earthquakes. The transaction involves $425,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money, the club announced.

The deal could bring CITY SC up to an additional $500,000 in conditional GAM. This is dependent on certain performance-based incentives with San Jose.

Löwen departs St. Louis as one of the most productive and recognizable players in the club’s history. The German midfielder helped shape CITY SC’s identity from its first MLS match and leaves as the club’s all-time leader in regular-season assists and goal contributions.

Löwen leaves a lasting mark

Löwen began his time with the organization by making two appearances for St Louis CITY2, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate. He then made his first-team debut in CITY SC’s inaugural MLS match against Austin FC on Feb. 25, 2023.

He quickly became a central figure in the club’s historic first season. Löwen scored six goals and led CITY SC with 17 assists during the 2023 MLS campaign, helping the expansion club win the Western Conference regular-season title.

His performance earned him a place among the three finalists for the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year award. Löwen finished third in the voting behind Giorgos Giakoumakis and Lionel Messi.

Across all competitions, Löwen made 103 appearances for CITY SC. He recorded 23 goals and 30 assists.

In regular-season play, Löwen produced 47 goal contributions, including 20 goals and 27 assists. He ranks first in club history in regular-season assists and goal contributions.

Club thanks Löwen

Sporting Director Corey Wray said Löwen’s impact went beyond his on-field production.

“Edu has meant a lot to this club and to the people of St. Louis,” Wray said. “He was there from the beginning and helped create so many important moments in our history, especially in the team’s historic inaugural season but also in every season since.”

Wray said the move followed discussions between Löwen and the club as CITY SC continues to shape its roster.

“As we continue to evolve the roster, we have had a lot of conversations with Edu. Ultimately, we felt this was the right time to find a solution that made sense for him and for the club,” Wray said. “We’re all rooting for Edu and wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.”

A message to St. Louis

Löwen thanked the club, teammates, staff and supporters in a farewell message.

“From the moment I arrived, this city and club welcomed me and my family with open arms,” Löwen said. “I’ve had the privilege of experiencing some unforgettable moments here — moments I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

He added that St. Louis “will always be an important part of my story” and thanked supporters for their “incredible support and love.”

Transaction

St. Louis CITY SC traded midfielder Eduard Löwen to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $425,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money. CITY SC could receive up to an additional $500,000 in conditional GAM based on performance metrics.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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