Atlético de Madrid and the Seattle Sounders have reached an agreement for the transfer of Obed Vargas, with the midfielder committing his future to the Spanish club through June 30, 2030.
The move sends one of Major League Soccer‘s most established young players to Europe for the first time, marking a significant step in Vargas‘ career and another example of MLS talent making the jump to a top European league.
Vargas was born on Aug. 5, 2005, in Anchorage, Alaska, and later naturalized as a Mexican citizen. He developed through the Seattle Sounders academy system, also featuring prominently for Tacoma Defiance, before breaking into the first team at an early age. On July 23, 2021, he made his MLS debut and became the third-youngest player in league history to appear in a match.
Vargas has become a bright star
Since that debut, Vargas has grown into one of the league’s most reliable and versatile midfielders. He leaves Seattle having made 158 competitive appearances across all competitions, recording eight goals and 11 assists while playing a key role in the Sounders‘ domestic and international success. During the 2021-22 season, Vargas helped Seattle win the CONCACAF Champions League, and in 2025 he added the Leagues Cup to his list of honors.
On the international stage, Vargas made his senior debut for Mexico on Oct. 15, 2024, in a friendly against the United States at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. His consistent club performances earned him recognition as part of Mexico‘s emerging generation, despite his U.S. birth. The transfer to Atlético de Madrid represents Vargas‘ first professional experience in Europe and places him under the guidance of one of LaLiga’s most competitive clubs.
He is not entirely unfamiliar with Atlético, having previously faced the Spanish side during the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States. Now, Vargas arrives in Madrid as a long-term investment, with Atlético securing his services through the end of the 2029-30 season as he looks to continue his development on one of soccer’s biggest stages.
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