Seattle Sounders club legend Nicolas Lodeiro is set to leave the Western Conference team after the conclusion of MLS Cup playoffs.
Lodeiro announced the news after the Sounders clinched a playoff slot when concluding the 2023 campaign in second place on the Western Conference table.
"My contract is up on Dec. 31, I haven’t received an offer and as far as I’m concerned now, I’m just not going to get one," Lodeiro said after Seattle's 2-0 triumph over St Louis CITY on Decision Day.
"Fans should know that I love the team, love the city but sometimes clubs have to make certain decisions and we have to respect them. The life of Nico and family continues, I want to keep playing at the highest level and that’s it."
Lodeiro has been an influential figure for Seattle upon joining in 2016 from Argentine giants Boca Juniors, propelling the team to two MLS Cup Championships as well as the 2022 Concacaf Champions League title. The 34-year-old quickly became one of the league's best playmakes and a fan favorite at Lumen Field, totaling 41cgoals and 80 assists in 191 league appearances for the Sounders.
While Lodeiro's time is up with Seattle, he confirmed that doesn't plan on retiring from the beautiful game just yet. In the last year of his contract, Lodeiro still recorded a solid output, one goal and 10 assists for Seattle to propel them to a second place finish with 53 points in the Western Conference table.
"Now I simply want to show my gratitude to the people, my teammates and the fan base by ending the year in the best way possible which would be with [winning] a title," said Lodeiro.
"It's about fighting to the very end. Like I said, I’m under contract through Dec. 31 and in every game I play up to that day, I will defend this jersey as I’ve always done. Fans should rest assured that my commitment and effort will be there all the way through my final match."
If the Sounders are to take home 2023 MLS Cup, which would be their first the 2019 season, they'll first have to get through FC Dallas in a best-of-three series with game one set for October 30 at Lumen Field.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Nicolas Lodeiro to leave Seattle Sounders following MLS Cup playoffs.
