TUKWILA, Wash. — Fredy Montero is still technically a Seattle Sounders player, but if all goes according to plan it won’t be for much longer.
Paying a surprise visit to Sounders training on Tuesday, the Colombian forward told reporters he’s hopeful of soon finalizing a long-rumored transfer to Sporting Clube of Portugal.
“Right now I’m just waiting until everything gets done,” said Montero, who recently concluded the first half of a yearlong loan to Colombian club Millonarios. “Nothing is official, yet. Let’s see if I have to fly from Seattle to Colombia or Seattle to Europe.”
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Finalized or not, there was no doubt about Montero’s preferences.
“That’s my dream coming true,” Montero said about playing in Europe. “I hope to do good there. I was waiting for this opportunity in past years and it’s here now. Hopefully I can enjoy that opportunity like I did with my other ones in the past.”
Montero spent much of the training session chatting with some of his former teammates and said he has followed the Sounders’ progress from afar. He also attended last Saturday’s game in Vancouver.
Even if the transfer goes through – which would mean the Sounders forfeit their right of first refusal if Montero were to ever return to MLS – Montero made it clear Seattle will always have a special place in his heart.
During his four-year Sounders career, Montero enjoyed some impressive accomplishments including establishing himself as the franchise’s leading scorer and helping lead the team to three straight US Open Cup championships – 2009 to 2011.
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Even more, he married a Seattle native, bought a home he still owns and moved his family here. His wife, who is pregnant and due this fall, won’t immediately join Montero in order to ensure that their first child is born in Seattle.
“I came here as a young player,” the 25-year-old said. “I had the opportunity to grow, becoming mature inside the game and outside the field. I’m glad to have my past with this team and it will always be my home.”
