FC Dallas announced on Tuesday morning that they have officially loaned left back Anibal Chala to LDU Quito in Ecuador for the 2018 season.

Chala signed with FC Dallas before the 2017 season but never made it on the field due to injuries in the preseason. The 21-year-old returned to Ecuador to rehab and was officially loaned to Quito on May 12, 2017. The defender made 19 appearances in the Ecuadoran first division last season, logging nearly 1,700 minutes.

He move does two important things for FC Dallas ahead of the 2018 season as it opens up an international roster slot and a Designated Player slot. Both are key as the club is reportedly close to signing winger Santiago Mosquera from Colombia.

While it is disappointing to some that the club wasn’t able to secure a full transfer for Chala, it does potentially open the door for him to return in 2019 or for the club to finally sale him.

What do you make of this news? Happy to see this get resolved?