Sporting Kansas City signs forward Alenis Vargas to three-year MLS contract, per club

Sporting Kansas City has acquired 20-year-old forward Alenis Vargas in a transfer from Costa Rican club Futbol Consultants Desamparados.

Vargas signed a three-year MLS contract with Sporting KC through 2026, with a club option for 2027.

Vargas hails from Honduras and has only been playing competitive soccer for a few years. But his development has been rapid. He spent last season on loan with Sporting KC II, scoring six goals with five assists in 21 appearances.

Most of his contributions came during the latter half of the season — he scored four goals in two August matches. Those contributions were vital in pushing Sporting KC II to a top-four finish in MLS Next Pro (though an injury sidelined Vargas for SKCII’s final two games and a postseason match).

A right-footed forward, Vargas can play on either side as a winger and has the sort of blazing speed required to get up and down the field in a hurry. That profile should give Sporting KC a more like-for-like backup to captain Johnny Russell.

Vargas will occupy an International slot pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa. He will be placed on Sporting KC’s supplemental roster, meaning he won’t count against the team’s salary cap.

This story was originally published December 15, 2023 at 11:40 AM.