Sporting Kansas City adds striker from Liga MX ahead of transfer deadline
Sporting Kansas City has had no problem scoring goals recently. But with just over 24 hours left in the primary transfer window, Sporting is adding to its group of attackers.
Sources tell The Star that Sporting is adding Santiago Muñoz on loan from Santos Laguna in Mexico. The 22-year-old forward will be with Sporting through the end of the 2025 season. Sporting will have an option to make it a permanent transfer at the end of the loan.
The club later confirmed the acquisition. Mediotiempo in Mexico first reported the potential for a transaction.
Muñoz does not qualify for a U-22 roster spot because he turns 23 in August. Muñoz is a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States and will not require an international roster spot. He has six goals and six assists in 81 appearances for Santos Laguna in Liga MX.
Muñoz represents Mexico on the international stage. In 30 appearances across the U-17, U-21 and U-23 teams, he has scored 12 goals and assisted twice.
Previously, Muñoz drew global headlines for a loan move to Newcastle United of the English Premier League — for an unexpected reason.
His name is very similar to that of a fictional soccer player — Santiago Muñez — the main character of the movie, “Goal!,” who (theatrically) joins Newcastle United after playing in Mexico and becomes a club hero.
Muñoz — the real one — didn’t have that kind of success at Newcastle, but he did continue to build on that stint after returning to Santos Laguna.
The move from Sporting KC’s side is intriguing. Sporting now has four strikers on the roster — Dejan Joveljic, William Agada, Mason Toye, and Muñoz. Only Joveljic’s contract is guaranteed beyond this season.
Agada has been the subject of transfer rumors, as Tom Bogert of the outlet Give Me Sport has reported interest in Agada from a few different clubs.
Sporting also has other roster needs, particularly after scoring nine goals in the previous three matches.
It’s the defense that has been leaky, giving up 19 goals in nine games so far. And center back Joaquin Fernandez was subbed off just before halftime of Sporting’s 5-3 win over San Jose this weekend. Dany Rosero was also unavailable for the game due to injury, leaving three healthy center backs at the moment, one of whom is just 16 years old.
The MLS Primary Transfer Window closes at 5 p.m. Central on Wednesday, April 23, meaning Sporting has until then to sign a player from another club or make trades within the league. SKC is free, however, to add players out of contract at any time.
Sporting did have midfielder Dru Yearwood in on trial last week, but no contract followed.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.
This story was originally published April 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM.