Today, it was made official that 20-year old Obed Vargas had transferred to Atlético Madrid on a four and a half year deal, specifically, valid through June 2030. The reported transfer fee is about $3.2 million plus significant performance-based add-ons. Additionally, Fabrizio Romano reported in his famous ‘Here We Go’ post that the Sounders will have a “heavy” sell-on clause.
Vargas supported Atlético Madrid since childhood, eventually playing against the club during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In the Atlético Madrid game, Vargas played all 90 minutes and kept a 71% passing accuracy rate.
Photo courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC
“It’s been a ride,” said Vargas in his final message to the supporters, via an official farewell video on the Sounders’ social media. The Alaskan-born Mexico international started off the video saying “thank you for everything. I never thought this moment was going to come, and it came super fast, so I didn’t have any time to prepare.”
Especially since the Club World Cup, Vargas built a ton of transfer market hype to the point where it was only a matter of time for the 20-year old to make a significant move. Rumors and reports began to surface during the offseason, and reports from ESPN Mexico indicated that Liga MX side Club America was pursuing Vargas. However, the club wouldn’t let him ago unless the move involved Europe and a high price tag being met. Other rumors and speculation linked Vargas to other teams in La Liga and Serie A.
Vargas joined the Sounders academy system in 2019, where he eventually turned pro two years later and debuted for the Tacoma Defiance. “They [the club] took in a 14 year-old boy and helped him grow, “Vargas stated gracefully in his farewell video.
Photo courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC
Vargas made his first team debut alongside in Austin back in 2021 at 15 years old, where the Sounders famously defeated The Verde and Black having started five teenagers.
Vargas took on a defensive midfielder role under Schmetzer, and went on to make 100 appearances for the Sounders in MLS, including playoffs, where he started 85 of those games. The young midfielder scored six goals and earned 12 assists domestically while also maintaining an 88% passing accuracy in the MLS regular season.
Cover photo courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC
