Another NYCFC icon moves on: Héber traded to Seattle Sounders | MLSSoccer.com

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade

To land the 31-year-old Brazilian, Seattle sent $400,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) split evenly across the next two seasons. NYCFC can pocket an additional $150k in performance-based GAM as well.

Héber won’t require an international roster spot and is under contract through 2023 with an option for 2024.

“We are excited to bring in Héber and strengthen our team with a proven, veteran attacking player,” Seattle general manager & chief soccer officer Craig Waibel said in a release. 

“Héber’s track record across multiple leagues speaks for itself, and he has been an impact player since coming to MLS. I’d like to welcome him to Seattle and look forward to watching him work with our existing squad once camp opens.”

Héber tallied 30 goals and seven assists in 90 all-competition matches for NYCFC upon arriving in 2019 from Croatian side HNK Rijeka. He tore his ACL in September 2020, but returned late in the 2021 campaign, helping NYCFC win their first trophy (MLS Cup 2021) and later capture the 2022 Campeones Cup. 

“Heber has been such an integral part of our club the past four seasons,” NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a release. 

“Since the day he arrived, he’s brought a huge amount of joy to our training facility and has been a great person to work with. Ultimately, as we headed into the offseason we needed to make moves in our roster to add resources which will allow us to reshape the squad for the seasons ahead.”

The move offers Seattle depth behind star forward Raúl Ruidíaz as they prepare to compete in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. They’re also chasing a return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs after 2022 ended a 13-year qualification streak for the Rave Green.

For NYCFC, there are continued departures from their MLS Cup 2021-winning side. Five starters and several substitutes are gone from that group, while the future is uncertain around several key players.

Center back Alexander Callens and goalkeeper Sean Johnson are both out of contract (free agents), while midfielder Santi Rodriguez was on loan from Uruguay’s Montevideo City Torque. Star playmaker Maxi Moralez departed last week for Racing Club in his native Argentina, too.

Currently, NYCFC’s lead remaining striker is Talles Magno. Aside from Héber and Ruidíaz, Seattle also have club-leading scorer Fredy Montero in the No. 9 role. 

“I’d like to welcome Héber to Seattle and look forward to seeing him in preseason camp,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said in a release. 

“You always need players that can score, and Héber has been goal-dangerous throughout his entire career. I can’t wait for him to get to work with our coaches and his new teammates to add another strong piece to our attacking group.”