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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC Adds Emanuel Cecchini and Luis Silva as Summer Transfer Window Closes

August 8, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC today announced that it has acquired midfielder Emanuel Cecchini on loan from Malága CF and signed forward / midfielder Luis Silva. Both deals were completed prior to last night's 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time deadline for Major League Soccer's summer transfer window. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used to acquire Cecchini, who will occupy an international roster spot while on loan through the 2020 season. Both additions are pending receipt of the players' respective P-1 Visas and International Transfer Certificates.

"We are pleased to add a pair of quality players to our roster as the window closes this summer. Emanuel gives us a good, versatile option in the midfield, while Luis provides us another option and some good depth in the attack," said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. "Combined with our other signings this season, we feel confident in our position to make a strong run as we approach the final third of the season and playoffs."

Cecchini, 22, comes to Seattle from Spanish second division side Malága, where he has been since the summer of 2017 when he transferred from his hometown club of Banfield in Argentina. He made just three appearances across all competitions for the Spanish club, but has gone out on loan twice, first with Mexican side Club León, where he played in just one Liga MX match in the 2017-2018 campaign, and then back to Banfield, where he started 14 of 15 appearances in the 2018-2019 season, in addition to four matches in the 2018 Copa Sudamericana. Prior to signing with Malága, Cecchini came up the youth ranks at Banfield, where he made his senior team debut in 2013. His breakout season came in the 2016-2017, where he started all 27 appearances and scored four goals, prompting his move to Spain.

"As a coach, I'm always happy when we add quality players to the team," said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. "Emanuel and Luis give us two more options to our squad, so I'm looking forward to bringing them in and seeing how they mesh with the group."

Silva, 30, returns to MLS from FC Honka of the Finnish first division, where he had three goals in 13 appearances this season. Prior to Finland, Silva spent eight seasons in MLS with Real Salt Lake, D.C. United and Toronto FC. After being drafted fourth overall out of UC Santa Barbara in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC, Silva scored five goals and five assists as a rookie before being traded to D.C. United in 2013, where he scored a career-high 11 goals in 2014. After being traded to Real Salt Lake in 2015, Silva went and spent the 2016 season with Tigres UANL in Mexico, where he made two appearances in the 2016-2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. He returned to RSL for 2017 and 2018 seasons, where he recorded 12 goals in 39 appearances. In all, Silva has 32 goals and 16 assists in 157 career MLS regular-season games played.

"We are excited to have brought in Emanuel and Luis, two technical players that we think can help our current squad," said Sounders FC VP of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. "This roster has competitive depth at each position, and we are confident in our group heading into important fixtures down the stretch."

Today's signings give Seattle seven total additions since the beginning of May, including three TAM-level players and one Designated Player. After signing U.S. Youth National Team forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez as a Homegrown Player on May 1, Seattle acquired Ecuadorian defender Xavier Arreaga as a Designated Player and defender / midfielder Joevin Jones using TAM on May 7. Later in the summer, Sounders FC signed Tacoma Defiance forward Justin Dhillon on June 28 before extending the loan of Australian fullback Brad Smith on July 31, using TAM, through the end of the 2019 season.

Following a 3-2 home loss vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, Sounders FC (11-7-5, 38 points) hosts the New England Revolution (9-9-6, 33 points) on Saturday, August 10 at CenturyLink Field (1:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, Univision-Seattle, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

TRANSACTION: Sounders FC acquires midfielder Emanuel Cecchini on loan from Malága CF through 2020 season using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and signs forward Luis Silva to contract on August 8, 2019.

Name: Emanuel Cecchini

Position: Midfielder

Number: 15

Height: 5-11

Weight: 170

Born: December 24, 1996 in Ingeniero Huergo, Argentina

Hometown: Ingeniero Huergo, Argentina

Citizenship: Argentina

Pronunciation: seh-Chee-nee

Previous Experience: Malága (2017-2019), León (2017-2018), Banfield (2012-2017, 2018-2019)

Name: Luis Silva

Position: Forward / Midfielder

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175

Born: October 12, 1988 in Oaxaca, Mexico

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Citizenship: United States

College: UC-Santa Barbara

Previous Experience: Honka (2019), Real Salt Lake (2015-2018), D.C. United (2013-2015), Toronto FC (2012-2013)

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