Sporting Kansas City loans Erik Palmer-Brown to FC Porto
Sporting Kansas City has loaned up-and-coming center back Erik Palmer-Brown to FC Porto for the rest of 2016, the MLS club announced on Monday.
Palmer-Brown, 18, had been courted by Juventus two years ago, with Sporting KC turning down a $1 million bid. He remained with Sporting KC, where he signed as a Homegrown Player in 2013, and has appeared in 10 games over the last two seasons. Palmer-Brown also played for the U.S. in the FIFA U-20 World Cup this past summer.
“We feel this is a good move for both Erik and the club,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. “Over the years, we have formed a good relationship with Porto and we see this as a great opportunity to further Erik’s development as a player and person.”
Porto is one of Portugal's premier clubs, and employs a number of Mexico internationals–Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera and Jesus Corona–in addition to longtime Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The club recently changed managers, with Jose Peseiro taking over for Julen Lopetegui.
Porto finished third in its Champions League group, dropping down to the Europa League knockout stage, where it will play Borussia Dortmund.
