Alvaro Fernandez on his way out Christian Tiffert in for Sounders FC

[The Q]

Rumors in recent weeks have linked Fernández with a move to Deportivo Cali in Colombia, now we're hearing that he's been traded by Sounders FC.

Seattle Sounders FC has traded midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to the Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money.

The Press Release from Sounders FC.

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has traded midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to the Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money, the club announced today.

"We would like to thank Alvaro for his contributions to the club over the last two years and wish him well in the next chapter of his career with the Fire," said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer.

Fernandez, 26, joined Sounders FC midway through the 2010 season. In his two and a half seasons in MLS, Fernandez has scored 13 goals with three assists in 55 matches (starting 38). He was second on the club with nine goals in 2011 and has scored twice in the 2012 campaign. He added three goals and five assists in CONCACAF Champions League play, including the winner in Seattle's historic win at CF Monterrey on August 23, 2011. Overall, Fernandez scored 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Sounders FC.

Fernandez has been capped 11 times by Uruguay and made four appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He began his professional career in Uruguay with Atenas in 2006 and joined Montevideo Wanderers a year later. He also played for Mexico's Puebla, Uruguay's Nacional, Portugal's Vitoria Setubal and on loan with Chile's Universidad before signing with MLS in the summer of 2010.

We first heard about the Tiffert signing becoming "REAL" in this tweet from Richard Motzkin.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>As reported in Germany, pleased to confirm that the latest @<a href="https://twitter.com/wmgllc">wmgllc</a> "Designated Player" signing in @<a href="https://twitter.com/MLS">MLS</a> is Christian Tiffert to @<a href="https://twitter.com/SoundersFC">SoundersFC</a> .</p>&mdash; Richard Motzkin (@RichardMotzkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardMotzkin/status/228882493326127105" data-datetime="2012-07-27T16:00:13+00:00">July 27, 2012</a></blockquote>
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Here is a goodbye tweet from Fernandez to Sounders FC Fans.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Muchas gracias sounders seattle por estos 2 años vividos. Me llevo muchas cosas positivas y lo mas importante me llevo amigos de verdad.</p>&mdash; flaco_fernandez (@flaco_fernandez) <a href="https://twitter.com/flaco_fernandez/status/228950144253566976" data-datetime="2012-07-27T20:29:02+00:00">July 27, 2012</a></blockquote>
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