TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
Sporting Kansas City announced Wednesday they have signed center back Andreu Fontas from La Liga's Celta Vigo, two weeks after links between the former Barcelona youth academy product and MLS first surfaced.
Sporting KC used Targeted Allocation Money to sign Fontas, who has inked an MLS contract through 2022. He will be added to the Sporting KC roster and occupy an international spot pending a physical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.
“Andreu is an experienced defender who strengthens our roster,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. “He has a lot of qualities we look for in a player, and we look forward to integrating him into the team as we prepare for the stretch run of the season.”
Fontas has spent each of the last five seasons with Celta Vigo in Spain’s top-flight La Liga, where he started 100 of 105 league appearances and helped the club to the semifinals of the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League. The defender developed in FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy alongside current Sporting KC midfielder Ilie, playing nearly 100 matches combined for FC Barcelona B and FC Barcelona from 2008-2012.
Although he appeared to be on the way out at Vigo, he reportedly chose MLS over other options in Spain's top flight.
Ike Opara and Matt Besler have featured as Sporting's center back pairing for all but four of SKC's 22 league matches this season. Along with signing Fontas, SKC announced that they have parted ways with Argentine defender Emiliano Amor so Fontas at worst provides experienced depth at the position and at best battles to Opara and Besler to be a regular starter.
MLS Fantasy Impact: You can add Fontas ($6.0) to your team right now! Start playing!
