Seattle Sounders sign USMNT forward Jesús Ferreira from FC Dallas

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade

• SEA receives: Jesús Ferreira, sale %
• DAL receives: Léo Chú, up to $2.3 million GAM, international roster spot, sellout %

Seattle Sounders FC completed a blockbuster transfer on Wednesday, acquiring striker Jesús Ferreira from FC Dallas.

The 24-year-old US international is moving to Seattle in exchange for winger Léo Chú, up to $2.3 million in General Allocation Money (GAM), a spot on the 2025 international squad and a sell-on quota. Of the GAM total, $1.5 million is guaranteed and $800,000 is conditional.

Additionally, Ferreira signed a contract extension with Seattle through 2027 with options for 2028 and 2029. He will not take a Designated Player spot. Seattle also maintains a sellout rate for Chú.

“We are very happy about the agreement to bring Jesús to Seattle. “He is a player who not only brings a lot of talent, but also complements the strengths of our existing roster,” said Sounders GM and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel.

“Jesús’ versatility allows him to operate in multiple attacking roles, giving our coaches more tactical options in different game situations. His creativity and movement will improve our ability to break through defenses and we are confident he will be a valuable contributor to the team’s success in the future.”

Ferreira is Dallas’ second all-time leading scorer with 55g/34a in 181 appearances in all competitions. As the son of club legend David Ferreira, he signed a self-made contract with Dallas in 2016 and was named a Designated Player before the 2022 season.

Ferreira had a breakout 2022 season, posting a 18g/6a performance, being named an MLS All-Star, placing in the Best XI presented by Continental Tire and winning the MLS Young Player of the Year award. However, injuries limited him to 5g/6a in 22 appearances last season, while new DP striker Petar Musa (16g/3a) emerged as the heart of the FCD attack.

Internationally, Ferreira has scored 15 goals in 23 appearances for the USMNT. He played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and won the Concacaf Gold Cup Golden Boot in 2023.

“On behalf of everyone at FC Dallas, I would like to thank Jesús Ferreira for his contribution to our club,” said club president Dan Hunt.

“From his time in our academy to his emergence as one of the top players in MLS, Jesús has had a tremendous impact on our organization. His commitment and goalscoring abilities will always be an important part of our history.”

Ferreira replaces DP striker Raúl Ruidíaz, who left Seattle this winter as its all-time leading scorer (86 goals). He joins USMNT forward Jordan Morris and DP winger Pedro de la Vega in the final third, while the Sounders reportedly continue to hold talks about re-signing midfielder Albert Rusnák.

Last year, Seattle had the best defense in MLS (league-low 35 goals conceded) but struggled on offense, conceding 51 goals. They scored just three times in five games in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs before losing 1-0 to eventual champions LA Galaxy in the Western Conference final.

In 2025, Seattle will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup. Their MLS opener is February 22 against Charlotte FC (10:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass).

Chú arrived in Seattle from Brazilian club Grêmio in August 2021 and achieved 7g/14a in 79 regular season games. Now the 24-year-old Brazilian is making a fresh start under FC Dallas’ new head coach, Eric Quill.

Chú is Dallas’ third offensive signing this winter, following Anderson Julio (from Real Salt Lake) and Pedro Martins (from North Texas SC).

“Léo is a young winger with a lot of speed and had good seasons with Seattle,” said FCD head of football André Zanotta.

“When we discussed this deal with Seattle, we felt that Léo is someone who can help us be more vertical and aggressive because he can really hurt teams with his speed. I think he will be a success with his contributions in the final third and a great addition to us.”

Dallas begins its new season on February 22nd at Texas Derby rival Houston Dynamo FC (8:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass). Last year they finished 11th in the Western Conference and missed the Audi MLS Cup playoffs.

READ MORE: MLS Transfer Tracker presented by Avant