Just when it looked like the Seattle Sounders were heading into a quiet offseason, rumors that Danny Leyva is being transferred to Liga MX side Necaxa have emerged. Sounder at Heart has independently confirmed the veracity of CL Merlo’s initial report that the 22-year-old midfielder has agreed to a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. The deal would involve some sort of transfer fee, although an exact figure was not immediately available.
🚨Danny Leyva, mediocampista de Seattle, es nuevo refuerzo de Necaxa.
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) December 2, 2025
*️⃣Lo compran y firma por 3 años con opción a un cuarto.
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Leyva is coming off probably his best season as a professional, logging more than 1,000 first-team minutes across all competitions and picking up four assists. This was his eighth professional season and seventh in MLS, in which he made his debut as a 15-year-old. Leyva has made more than 100 Sounders appearances and has logged nearly 8,000 professional minutes.
Leyva's sale would be significant on a variety of fronts. With the Sounders relatively tight against the salary cap – we estimate they have about $1.6 million of flexibility – this would give them some added flexibility both in the form of any allocation money they can net and by removing Leyva from their books. Leyva made about $350,000 in guaranteed compensation last year and was likely due a raise in 2026.
Beyond the salary cap ramifications, Leyva's sale would also be a sort of proof of concept. Leyva would be the first Sounders Academy product the team has sold abroad since Henry Wingo went to Norway's Molde in 2019 for a relatively modest fee.
What's less clear is what this move says about the current state of the Sounders roster. While it looked like Leyva was in line for significant minutes in 2026, that was predicated on the idea that Obed Vargas would likely leave. This could be an indication that the Sounders expect Vargas to be back, either because transfer offers haven't materialized or they are optimistic about signing him to an extension. Already without João Paulo, the Sounders will almost certainly have to add another defensive midfielder, as 18-year-old Snyder Brunell is the only option on the current roster.
Necaxa finished the most recent Apertura in 13th, but were fifth in the previous Clausura. They are partly owned by actors Eva Longoria, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. An FX documentary series about the club aired earlier this year.
