Nicolas Lodeiro reportedly joining Sounders next week

I have been waiting months to write those words, as I imagine you all have been waiting months to read those words. So, what set the transfer in motion? Glad you asked.

We wouldn’t be rejoicing over a cup of coffee this morning if we didn’t receive a little help from our Ecuadoran friends. When Independiente del Valle defeated Boca Juniors last night, they earned themselves the right to play Atlético Nacional in the final round of Copa Libertadores. For Seattle fans, this is significant because it means that Boca Juniors have been knocked out of the tournament, allowing the Argentinian club to move forward with any and all pending player transactions.

Several Boca players have been rumored to be on the outs. For Seattle, the man in the upper right corner, Mr. Nicolas Lodeiro has been rumored to be headed to Seattle after Boca had finished their run in Copa Libertadores.

In less than 12 hours since Boca Juniors were eliminated from Copa Libertadores, the Lodeiro-to-Seattle rumor has gained momentum and looks to be all but confirmed. The first to break the story was an Uruguayan journalist from Embajadores del Gol (EDG), followed by Univision Deportes.

According to EDG, Lodeiro will come to Seattle as early as next week on a 4-year contract. Univision Deportes later added that Boca Juniors accepted Seattle's final offer of $5 million for the playmaker.

While these recent developments do not resemble an official announcement, they are an encouraging sign that the deal is close to complete. Feel free to show up at SeaTac International Airport with signs and piping yerba mate in hand. Get hype everyone. This feels real.