It appears Fredy Montero may have played his last game for the Seattle Sounders. Reports out of Colombia, that have since been confirmed by Soccer by Ives, are saying the Sounders have sent their all-time leading scorer to Colombia's Millonarios on what will initially be a six-month loan. That could turn into a year-long loan and potentially into a sale with the price being set at $4.5 million.
Sounders’ Fredy Montero reportedly loaned to Colombia’s Millonarios
Soccer by Ives says they’ve confirmed a Colombian report that says the Sounders will send Montero to Millonarios on a six-month loan that could be extended.
Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE
While it’s unknown what, if any, immediate salary cap and roster relief the Sounders would receive from such a deal, indications are that this is a move designed to bolster Montero’s visibility to bigger clubs in South America, Mexico and Europe. The 25-year-old has been open about his desire to play on the world’s biggest stages and this could be where it is made apparent how realistic that desire is.
Despite scoring 47 goals and logging 34 assists in four seasons with the Sounders, doubts persist about Montero’s abilities. Fair or not, the critics have been most vocal about his scoreless record in nine career playoff games. This move seems designed to change that narrative.
Millonarios has qualified for Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent to Champions League. If Montero plays well in one of the world’s most competitive club tournaments, that would make him exceedingly attractive and put him and the Sounders in line to see a big payday.
Montero has also spoken about his desire to return to the Colombian national team, who has not called him up since 2009. Considering forward is the position at which Colombia is most talented, though, that seems like a bit a stretch. Montero would need to break into a striker core that includes the likes of Radamel Falcao, Jackson Martinez and Dorlan Pabon and Carlos Quintero.
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