Transaction: Roots loan Saalih Muhammad to New Mexico United in exchange for Brian Brown

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Photo courtesy of USLChampionship.com

The Oakland Roots announced that they have loaned Saalih Muhammad to New Mexico United for the remainder of the season, and in return receive forward Brian Brown on loan for the rest of 2021. 

Both players have an additional year remaining on their contracts and will return for the 2022 season. 

Muhammad returns to NMU, where he's made 34 appearances from 2019-2020 and scored once. The club welcomed him back on its socials. 

Muhammad, 26, was the first signing by the Roots prior to its entry into the USL Championship, but the defensive midfielder hasn't been able to carve out a consistent role with just six appearances, usually rotating between center back and central midfield.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Saalih back to New Mexico and into our team,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne, via the team's official site. “His love for New Mexico and United, as well as his incredible talent and work ethic will be crucial to our playoff run. We are also so grateful for the effort that Brian Brown put into this season. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of this season in Oakland.”

As for Brown, the Jamaican national brings another veteran presence to the Roots' attack. He's made 13 appearances for NMU this season, scoring two goals and one assist with an overall rating of 6.61. 

He's made nine appearances for the Jamaican National Team and scored once. 

Brown, 28, began his career with Montego Bay United from 2012-2013 before Harbour View in 2013, also of the Jamaican National Premier League. While under contract with Harbour View, he went on loan to the MLS' Philadelphia Union in 2014, followed by stints with the USL's Indy Eleven and Charlotte Independence over the next two years. 

“We are excited to have Brian join the squad right at the mid way point of our season,” said Roots VP of Soccer Eric Yamamoto, via the team's official site. “Brian is a proven USL striker who will bring an exciting new option for our attack coming down the stretch of the season.”

From there, he made 65 appearances and scored 25 goals for Reno 1868 from 2017-2018--meaning he has a connection with assistant coach Chris Malenab, who spent 2018-2020 with Reno before the club folded. 

Brown spent 2019-2020 with FK Partizani Tirana of Albania's Kategoria Superiore league before returning to the states with New Mexico United. 

His addition is an indication that Tyler Blackwood is still unavailable. It also suggests that he could push Brandon Allen for minutes given they are both natural strikers. 

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