Sources: Chivas set to sign ex-Seattle defender Alfaro

Tony Alfaro's time with the Seattle Sounders came to an end this week after the MLS team's decision not to renew his contract, but the Mexican-born central defender won't be unemployed for long.

Alfaro is set to sign a contract with Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara, joining the club on a free transfer, two sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Goal on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old center back spent the past three seasons with the Sounders, serving mainly as a reserve. He made just four league appearances for the Sounders in 2018 after a 2017 season that saw him play in 15 league games.

Stuck behind veteran defenders Chad Marshall and Roman Torres, Alfaro fell even further down the depth chart in 2018 after the arrival of South Korean defender Kim Kee-Hee. Alfaro made 14 starts for Seattle's USL affiliate Sounders II in 2018.

Alfaro first made his way onto Chivas Guadalajara's radar in February, when he started both legs of Seattle's Concacaf Champions League round-of-16 clash with Salvadorian side Santa Tecla. The Sounders eliminated Santa Tecla and played Chivas in the quarterfinals, losing to the eventual champions. Alfaro didn't play against Chivas, but the interest in him began at that stage.

Chivas made an inquiry into Alfaro's availability in the summer, but with the Sounders unwilling to part with the player unless a transfer fee was paid, Chivas put its interest on hold, and revisited Alfaro's availability after Seattle passed on renewing his contract.

Alfaro is a technically skilled left-footed central defender who, at 25, is a low-cost and viable prospect for a Chivas side looking to rebuild following a disappointing Apertura campaign.

Born in Michoacan, Mexico, Alfaro moved to the United States as a young child, and settled in the Los Angeles area. A citizen of Mexico and the United States, Alfaro played collegiately for division two Cal State Dominguez Hills, the same school that is home to the LA Galaxy's stadium StubHub Center.

Alfaro was the 27th overall selection in the 2016 MLS draft, selected by the Sounders. He made just six appearances for Seattle that season, which concluded with the Sounders winning the MLS Cup title.