TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
Seattle Sounders have loaned winger Jordan Morris to the English league team, Swansea City, for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, the club announced on Thursday. Athletic was the first to report the change on 17 January.
The 26-year-old is Swansea’s third signing for the winter window, following Ben Hamer’s move from Huddersfield and the arrival of Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane. The Swans are currently in second place in the league table.
Morris has been a hugely successful local signing since joining the Sounders in January 2016. He has 35 goals and 20 assists in 105 MLS games, winning two MLS Cups with Seattle and making it to the league’s 2020 Best XI.
“Ultimately, this change has to do with Jordan and what he wants from his career,” said Sounders general manager and football president Garth Lagerwey in a statement. “Our club and city are supporting him as he embarks on the next phase of his journey, and if he returns to Seattle at the end of this loan, we know that he will be stronger with the experience.”
Morris, who scored 10 goals in 39 games for the US men’s national team, received permission from Gregg Berhalter to leave the USMNT camp in Florida last Wednesday. In a video conference with reporters during the USMNT camp earlier this month, Morris admitted European interest.
“I am very proud of the player and professional Jordan has become. He has been a big part of this club’s success and more than deserved the opportunity to work abroad,” said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer in a statement. This particular move gives him a chance to showcase his skill set and opens up a number of options for his future. Also, I’m excited to see you play for Swansea. “
Morris had a chance to play abroad after playing NCAA Division I football at Stanford, but declined the transfer to Werder Bremen to play for his hometown team.