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UPDATE: We may have oversold our initial report, but this does appear to be heading in the right direction. But we still think we're still giving clearance to GET HYPE.
Nicolas Lodeiro appears ready to join the Seattle Sounders. There's still no word on when he might actually suit up and the Sounders declined to confirm anything, but a member of the group who owns part of Lodeiro's rights is being widely quoted as telling Argentinian radio that his client has agreed to terms, although a transfer fee may not yet be agreed upon.
Lodeiro is convinced to go to @Soundersfc.... for him 4yr contract is important. https://t.co/gJJ4Kw10E4
— Juan G. Arango (@JuanG_Arango) May 26, 2016
Acc. to @ClossAM590 ... Lodeiro looking for better quality of life in US. https://t.co/CKWKktijCr
— Juan G. Arango (@JuanG_Arango) May 26, 2016
Previous reports have suggested that Lodeiro was adamant about remaining with Boca Juniors until their Copa Libertadores run was over. Boca is currently in the semifinals of the Western Hemisphere's biggest club tournament, scheduled to face Ecuador's Independiente del Valle on July 7 and 14. If Boca win, they'd not finish until July 27.
Considering Lodeiro is currently with Uruguay's Copa America Centenario team, there's a good chance the Sounders would elect to let him rest a bit until joining the club and that could put his debut as far out as September.
Still, this has to be seen as a huge signing. Lodeiro's counting stats don't necessarily jump off the page -- he's scored just nine goals over parts of two seasons at Boca -- he is a key component of both a world-class club and one of the top soccer nations. Boca might be the biggest club in the Western Hemisphere and Uruguay is currently ranked No. 9 in FIFA's ratings.