SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has loaned midfielder Emanuel Cecchini to Argentine club Unión de Sante Fe until the end of 2020. Cecchini joined Sounders FC in August of last season on loan from Spanish side Málaga CF, making four appearances for the Rave Green, with his lone start coming at Colorado on September 7.

“We’d like to thank Emanuel for his time with the club last season in helping us win the MLS Cup title,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We wish him the best going forward as he returns home to play in Argentina.”

Along with today’s signing of Brazilian midfielder João Paulo as a Designated Player, Sounders FC’s roster sits at 21 players, including three goalkeepers, five defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards. The Rave Green train at Starfire Sports this weekend and early next week before a closed-door friendly vs. Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday, February 5 at CenturyLink Field, before heading down to Mexico City on Thursday, February 6 for a second out-of-town preseason camp. The club then proceeds to Honduras for Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League play against CD Olimpia on February 20.

TRANSACTION: Sounders FC loans midfielder Emanuel Cecchini to Unión de Santa Fe through all of 2020 on January 31, 2020.

CURRENT SOUNDERS FC FIRST TEAM ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (3): Stefan Cleveland, Stefan Frei, Trey Muse

DEFENDERS (5): Xavier Arreaga, Joevin Jones, Kelvin Leerdam, Nouhou, Shane O’Neil

MIDFIELDERS (8): Handwalla Bwana, Jordy Delem, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, João Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp, Gustav Svensson

FORWARDS (5): Will Bruin, Justin Dhillon, Jordan Morris, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Raúl Ruidíaz