Transfer Tracker

Report: Kenny Saief loan to FC Cincinnati set to end early

Kenny Saief – FC Cincinnati – close up

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report


There appears to be a resolution as to how long Kenny Saief’s time with FC Cincinnati will last.


Various reports surfaced Tuesday that the U.S. men’s national team winger, whose loan from Anderlecht was set to last through July 7, will return to the Belgian side early. According to sources cited by The Athletic, the early termination of the deal will give FCC a nominal amount of cap relief.


Saief, 25, has experienced an up-and-down spell with the expansion club. He has missed the club’s last three games with a hamstring injury, though was a key fixture under former head coach Alan Koch, scoring once and assisting twice. Saief was originally acquired on loan March 6.

Saief is expected to continue his rehabilitation at Anderlecht, who recently appointed Manchester City great Vincent Kompany as player-manager. 


Back in April, Saief told MLSsoccer.com of his time with the expansion club: “It’s really nice, it’s a great group and I’m enjoying my time here. On and off the field, I’m having a great time right now.”


Heading into the Secondary Transfer Window from July 7 to Aug. 7, Saief’s departure creates a need for FCC in the attacking third. They’re currently bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and have a league-worst 14 goals scored through 16 matches. 


To help remedy that, newly-appointed general manger Gerard Nijkamp is surely hard at work.