The Seattle Sounders made Fredy Montero's dream a reality — in part — on Monday, announcing officially that the Colombian forward has been loaned to Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Reports last month suggested that the 2009 MLS Newcomer of the Year was being sold outright to the Lisbon-based powerhouse, but Monday's announcement would appear to be a middle ground. Sporting CP will have an option to buy the 25-year-old on a permanent transfer, the Sounders said.
The length of the loan, however, was not disclosed. The deal is pending receipt of his International Transfer Clearance from Colombia to Portugal.
Montero had been on loan at Millonarios FC of the Colombian first division since January and led the club with seven goals during the 2012-13 season through 19 starts. He also chipped in two assists.
He now moves to Europe for the first time in his career, with an eye on returning to the Colombian national team for the first time in four years.
Montero, who joined Seattle in their inaugural MLS season, is the club's all-time leading scorer with 47 goals in MLS play. Overall, he scored 60 goals with 43 assists across all competitions to lead the team.
A three-time MLS All-Star, Montero recorded 23 game-winning goals and 12 game-winning assists across all competitions in his four seasons with the Sounders and helped them win three straight US Open Cups from 2009-11.
