Sounders FC midfielder and Homegrown Player Aaron Kovar will train with English Championship side Preston North End through mid-January ahead of his third season with the Sounders in 2016.

Kovar, a 22-year-old Seattle native who signed with the Sounders in January 2014, appeared in six regular season games with the club in 2015. This marks the second consecutive year that Kovar will train in the U.K. during the offseason after working out with Sheffield Wednesday last year.

Kovar played for the Sounders FC Academy from 2010-12, and played for Sounders FC U-23s in 2013. He also holds an Irish passport.

“Aaron is a talented young player, and these types of experiences are always positive for development and fitness purposes,” Sounders GM and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said. “We’re hopeful that his time in England will be beneficial, allowing Aaron to hit the ground running in training camp with us in Seattle in a few weeks.”

Preston North End are currently 15th out of 24 teams in the Championship after winning promotion to England’s second division last year.