Sebastian Soto is reportedly set for a second-straight loan spell away from Norwich City.
Portuguese giants FC Porto is in talks with the EFL Championship side over acquiring Soto on a one-year loan, Maisfutebol reported Wednesday. Soto will train with Porto’s first team squad, but is likely to play with Porto’s B team in hopes of establishing himself.
FC Porto will also have the option to acquire Soto on a permanent deal after the loan for roughly $1.1 million, according to the report.
After arriving in England from German club Hannover in January 2021, Soto was loaned to Dutch second tier side Telstar for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old scored seven goals for Telstar in 12 appearances before returning to Norwich City to play with the Under-23 team.
Soto made three appearances for Norwich City’s U-23 side before seeing his season end early ahead of the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico. He played in all four matches for Jason Kreis’ side in Mexico, but failed to score in any of his appearances as the Americans lost 2-1 to Honduras in the semifinals.
FC Porto finished second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season and also reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. The club’s second place finish in league play clinched a spot in this Fall’s UCL group stage, which is slated to begin in mid-September.
Soto would become the second American player to play for FC Porto, joining Erik Palmer-Brown who made 17 appearances for Porto B on loan in 2016.
Porto B? Does this mean there wasn’t a Championship club that would give him a look? Or Eredivisie? Or Austrian Bundesliga?
Yikes. If he’s a League One, Erstedivisie level player at best, there are 10-15 players worthy of USMNT looks ahead of him at forward
I hope Soto makes a big splash in the Primeira Liga! I’m a lil’ confused. Wouldn’t Soto be the 3rd? Hasn’t Johan Gomez been playing for Porto since ‘19? He got some good minutes for Porto B last season right?! If I’m mistaken let me know. There’s a lot of things I don’t know like Johnathon Gomez (Louisville City) was his younger brother until after the GC pre-lim roster came out.
According to Transfermkt Johan’s contract ended Wednesday. I’m not sure if that’s accurate sometimes they’re slow to adjust those when lower players re-sign. He was benched pretty much the second half the season it looks like so not sure if he will still be there or not. Johan is another young player who was hurt by Covid canceling this youth cycle certainly would have been in line for possible U20 WC before the pandemic.
JR you’re drastically missing my point. “Soto would become the 2nd American player to play for Porto B?” If Johan has played there, & EPB has played there, why is Soto the 2nd American to play for Porto B? 1+1+1 = 2? Let me take another angle, ‘Antonee Robinson is the 2nd American to play for Fulham!’ …or ‘McKennie is the 2nd American to ever play for Schalke.’
SBI was the 1st outlet, I mean the 1st (that I know of) to report on Johan’s signing back of August of 2019!! Larry wrote the article!!! Look it up if you don’t believe me. I don’t make stuff up. I’m not a genius, but I do pay attention.
Sorry wasn’t arguing just giving people an update of sorts. Also hoping somebody has an update, unfortunately I don’t think Eastdeflection comes here anymore.
Not that those numbers are usually very accurate but the 1.1 million tells you what you want to know. He’s not in Norwich’s plans going forward. His move Norwich in the first place continues to perplex. They sign him when he isn’t eligible for a work permit, he finally gets a permit in January he plays 3 games then leaves for qualifying, he doesn’t play again upon return and he’s loaned out before the next season.
There seems to be something confounding about Soto and his career trajectory. It’s like nobody knows what to make of the kid. I wonder whether there are consistency issues or application issues or attitude issues that are keeping him back. He seems to have a fair bit of talent and a striker’s instinct.
Another strange move for Soto. Seems like he’s a guy in too big a rush without a plan. He Fought to get away from Hannover when they’re the club who gave him his first break and wanted to keep him. Held USSF over a barrel by flirting with Chile. This Norwich deal has always been a weird one. Now transfer to Porto B? Why? Is there not a club who might have first team plans for him? Very strange in my opinion