Coming right on the heels of the news that the Seattle Sounders have signed Christian Tiffert and traded Alvaro Fernandez to the Chicago Fire comes word that the club has signed midfielder Mario Martinez on loan from Honduran club Real España. The 22-year-old is currently in London with the Honduras Olympic team and played 88 minutes in Thursday's 2-2 draw against Morocco. Martinez has experience as both a central and left midfielder and has spent time on loan with Norweigen side Vålerenga and Belgian club R.S.C. Anderlecht.
While it is unclear what role Martinez will play for the Sounders, the signing of such a talented young player with an excellent pedigree will likely ease the pain of losing Alvaro Fernandez somewhat. According to at least one report out of Honduras, the deal is for one year with the Sounders having an option to buy. Though a relative unknown in the US, Martinez is clearly a player with tremendous potential. Depending on how he develops, this move could end up being something much more significant than an afterthought to the bigger news of the day.
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