Dreams of left back Brad Smith reuniting with the Sounders this winter were doused Thursday.
AFC Bournemouth announced Smith, 25, accepted a loan agreement for him to play for Sky Bet Championship team Cardiff City. The club is currently 12th in the 24-team English Football League.
Smith played for the Sounders under a similar loan from Bournemouth, which expired in December 2019. Garth Lagerwey, Sounders general manager and president of soccer, said Seattle had no control over Smith’s future and acknowledged the fullback improved his stock after helping Seattle win another MLS Cup in November.
The EFL regular season concludes in May, while Smith’s loan and contract with Bournemouth ends at the end of the 2019-20 season.