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Report: FC Dallas homegrown Zendejas sold to Chivas

 

Photo by Greg Bartram/USA Today Sports
Photo by Greg Bartram/USA Today Sports

One of American soccer’s brightest young prospects is reportedly on his way to one of Mexico’s biggest clubs.

Goal USA reported on Thursday that FC Dallas has sold homegrown Alex Zendejas to Liga MX side Chivas. The deal was reportedly agreed upon this week for a transfer fee around $500,000.

The move comes after Zendejas shined during the Copa Chivas in January while featuring as a member of FC Dallas’ U-18 team en route to the quarterfinals.

Chivas has long had a policy of signing on Mexican players, but Zendejas is not the first player with American connections to join the club. Midfielder Isaac Brizuela and defender Miguel Ponce were born in northern California, while Juan Pablo Ocegueda previously joined the Mexican club after representing the U.S. on the youth level.

A key member of the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team,  Zendejas played in each of his team’s games at the 2015 U-17 World Cup. A member of the FC Dallas academy since 2012, Zendejas began his pro career by signing a homegrown deal in 2014.

What do you think of the move? How will Zendejas fare at Chivas?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • Good question. I believe the last time a US player went through this situation, the player was not allowed to represent the US while they are playing for Chivas.

      Reply
      • This is the first I’m hearing about this, but it seems to be well-known…how is the club legally able to restrict their ability to represent the country during sanctioned international breaks? The only way I can see that as being possible is if it’s a non-negotiable clause in the employment contract, but surely they wouldn’t hamstring themselves with such a nonsensical requirement, right?

  1. As an FCD season-tix holder, I can tell you it’s simple: Hunts getting $$. The club is run on the cheap and relies on it’s excellent academy (and coach) to be competitive. It’s what the Brits call a “selling club”- always ready to cash in. Unfortunately, that attitude is why they don’t draw well in DFW, where owner bling is admired. Location is a problem but they do half-assed marketing and the stadium services are poor. Look for Jesse Gonzales, the keeper, to go next.

    Reply
  2. I don’t understand. He’s doing well, he came up through FC Dallas’ system and now he is sold to Chivas for $500K? Is FC Dallas so stacked that he had no future there (compared to Chivas)? It’s a shame if he would develop better at Chivas compared to FC Dallas.

    Also, is he expected to represent Mexico in the future or will he NOT represent the US anymore (per Chivas’ policy)?

    Anyone have background on this?

    Reply
    • Why is it “a shame” that a club over 100 years old would have more insight on how to train a young player and ability to develop them into a professional than a club that’s got a fifth of that time under their belt (and I’m a Dallas fan that often extols the accomplishments of the FCD academy, yet have no qualms about admitting we’re not there yet in terms of development)? I agree that $500k is a very small price to pay for such a lauded talent and a potentially high dollar transfer target when reaching “peak” age, but I have to feel like there’s language in the contract that the FCD front office deemed more valuable than a face-value transfer fee, like a percentage of a future sell-on fee, or the right of first refusal, or other similarly “behind the scenes” perks that could conceivably be more valuable than an extra $250k-$500k on the transfer fee. Given Zendy’s recent injury troubles, perhaps more of the total fee is to be dispersed after he reaches a certain milestone in terms of games/minutes in an effort to minimize the risk they’re taking, or maybe he forced a move through with a transfer request and we haven’t heard about it until now.

      Either way, more power to Zendy for expanding his horizons and testing the waters outside of his comfort zone. I just hope CDG doesn’t spend a week on him then give up and let him ride out his contract, he’s a very bright attacking mid prospect and needs as much game time as possible right about now.

      Reply

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