:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4935675/148348855.0.jpg)
Typically Twitter has played the role of the medium through which Philadelphia Union players have disclosed transfers, but this time it was straight from the player's mouth, not fingers, on the radio.
Carlos Valdes has been linked to a return to his former club, Santa Fe, and a preseason of playing soccer in Colombia. The center back confirmed that not only did Santa Fe show interest in bringing him in for a short term loan, but that the deal only was held up by high demands by Major League Soccer, in an interview with La Banda Deportiva.
"There has been definite interest from Santa Fe, but MLS wants a really attractive offer," Valdes said in the interview. If the loan was to happen, "I'll play three months before the MLS season starts."
The comment about an attractive offer most likely referred to a loan fee that Santa Fe would provide to the Union in order to have Valdes play for them. A report by Terra Deportes Colombia yesterday said that the loan deal with Santa would be for three months.
The 27-year-old defender also revealed that he is signed with the Union through the end of 2014, and added that he intends to play leading up to the upcoming MLS regular season.
"I have two years left on my contract and I want to play somewhere in Colombia during the MLS offseason," Valdes said.
The hosts of the program mentioned America de Cali, one of Valdes' other former clubs in Colombia, but he denied it as a possible destination.
"No one has contacted me from America," Valdes said.
The interview moved from Valdes' potential loan to a Colombian squad to the country's national team, which the Union's current captain has started for in recent games. Valdes made it clear that he wished to continue playing during the offseason and the context of that part of the conversation connected it to Colombia's upcoming games, including a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in late March.
(Translations by a friend of the Brotherly Game who wishes to remain anonymous)