Defender Aurelien Collin announced on Thursday that he has retired from professional soccer, ending a career that spanned nearly two decades and three continents. The Frenchman was a staple in Major League Soccer, playing for four franchises in the league including the past three seasons.
Collin began his soccer career in the academies of both Sedan and Amiens in his native France, as well as with Spanish outfit RCD Mallorca. He signed his first senior deal ahead of the 2007-08 season with Scottish Premier League side Gretna FC. In 2008, Collin joined Greek club Panserraikos, followed by Welsh club Wrexham FC and then Vitoria Setubal of the Portuguese topflight.
Collin came to across the Atlantic in 2011 and joined Sporting Kansas City where he spent four seasons and was an anchor to their success after through the 2014 season where he totaled 107 appearances and 103 starts. In his second season with the club, Collin was named MLS All-Star GameDay and was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year. He was also named to the MLS Best XI and helped SKC win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The following year he continued his strong run of form with a 2013 season to remember as he won MLS Cup and the MLS Cup MVP honor with the game-tying goal and converted the game-winning penalty kick in the MLS Cup final vs. Real Salt Lake.
Following his time with SKC, Collin played for Orlando City SC where he made 30 appearances before being traded to the New York Red Bulls in April 2016. Collin was added to the Union's roster ahead of the 2019 season bringing a veteran presence that helped guide up-and-coming defenders Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie and Jack Elliott.
Collin concludes his MLS career with 182 appearances and nearly 15,000 minutes of league play. The defender also racked up 13 goals and added five assists while helping collect 48 shutouts.
