RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has traded midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to the Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money, the club announced today.

"We would like to thank Alvaro for his contributions to the club over the last two years and wish him well in the next chapter of his career with the Fire," said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer.

Fernandez, 26, joined Sounders FC midway through the 2010 season. In his two and a half seasons in MLS, Fernandez has scored 13 goals with three assists in 55 matches (starting 38). He was second on the club with nine goals in 2011 and has scored twice in the 2012 campaign. He added three goals and five assists in CONCACAF Champions League play, including the winner in Seattle's historic win at CF Monterrey on August 23, 2011. Overall, Fernandez scored 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Sounders FC.

Fernandez has been capped 11 times by Uruguay and made four appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He began his professional career in Uruguay with Atenas in 2006 and joined Montevideo Wanderers a year later. He also played for Mexico's Puebla, Uruguay's Nacional, Portugal's Vitoria Setubal and on loan with Chile's Universidad before signing with MLS in the summer of 2010.

Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday with a road match against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) - Traded MF Alvaro Fernandez to Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money.