Danny Leyva's transfer to Liga MX’s Club Necaxa has been officially confirmed after Seattle Sounders announced the deal on Monday. The exact terms of the transfer have not been disclosed, but reports indicate that it will net Sounders approximately $1.2 million in additional salary cap space. The deal includes playing-time incentives and a sell-on fee ranging from 20-25% depending on his future destination. Previous reports suggested that Leyva had signed a new three-year contract with an option for a fourth year with Necaxa, but this has not been officially confirmed by either club.
The transfer is significant for both clubs and players involved. For Sounders, the deal provides much-needed additional salary-cap maneuverability. Sounder at Heart estimated that they had around $1.65 million in space before the Leyva move, making this transaction almost as important about giving Leyva an opportunity he desired. Leyva has dual citizenship with both the United States and Mexico, a fact that has previously linked him to moves to Liga MX.
“Since his first moments in the academy, Danny’s human qualities and soccer abilities were always in sync,” Sounders Technical Director Henry Brauner said in a team release. “We are so proud of what he has accomplished, from making his First Team debut at 16, to closing out his latest trophy in the form of a Leagues Cup victory at home.”
Leyva is expected to face competition for playing time with Obed Vargas likely returning in 2026. At Necaxa, he has a chance to compete for starting minutes after the team finished 13th in the most recent Apertura and underwent a coaching change last month when Fernando Gago left.
In his farewell statement, Leyva expressed gratitude to Sounders FC: “Growing up in this environment shaped me not only as a player but as a person. Seattle will always be an important part of my journey.”
For the Sounders, Alex Roldan and Snyder Brunell are now likely to compete for backup roles at the double-pivot position. The club is expected to look for veteran additions to bolster their depth.
