MLS
USMNT striker swaps Dallas for Seattle
One of the most celebrated products of the famed FC Dallas academy, Jesús Ferreira leaves for the Seattle Sounders on a blockbuster deal.
After more than 15 years with the club, homegrown star Jesús Ferreira has left FC Dallas. The USMNT forward joins Western Conference rivals Seattle Sounders in a huge blockbuster trade announced on Wednesday.
Ferreira played a total of 181 games for Dallas, scoring 55 goals. His best goal-scoring season came in 2022 when he struck 18 in 33 MLS games.
“On behalf of everyone at FC Dallas, I want to thank Jesús Ferreira for his contributions to our club,” team president Dan Hunt said. “From his time in our Academy to becoming one of the top players in MLS, Jesús has made a tremendous impact on our organization. His dedication and goal-scoring prowess will always be an important part of our history.”
Colombian-born Ferreira moved to Dallas as a child when his father, David Ferreira, signed for FC Dallas. The younger Ferreira joined the youth ranks in 2009 and progressed through the academy, signing his first homegrown contract in 2016, aged just 15. At the age of 16 years and 161 days he became the youngest player to play and to score in an MLS game for Dallas, the second-youngest in league history.
What is the transfer fee for Jesús Ferreira?
The 24-year-old has become a key part of Dallas’ offensive structure in recent years, able to operate as a deep-lying striker and link the midfield to the forward line. It’s a skillset that few in MLS possess and Seattle were forced to put together a significant package to get their man.
Ferreira heads to Seattle with winger Léo Chú, $1 million in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), a 2025 International Roster Slot and $500k in 2026 GAM moving in the other direction. If certain performance metrics are hit, there could be a further $800k to pay for Seattle.
Some had expected Ferreira to move overseas, with reported transfer interest from Europe in previous windows. His profile has been enhanced by an incredible scoring record at international level, where he has struck 15 goals in 23 outings for the senior USMNT. Many of those appearances have come in games against the smaller CONCACAF teams, earning him the nickname ‘Pirate of the Caribbean’.
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