Sergio Santos swaps his number for CJ Sapong’s old No. 17

Sergios Santos, the 24-year-old Brazilian forward the Union signed in the offseason, won’t wear number 20, after all.

Santos switched his number to 17 ahead of today’s season opener at home against Toronto FC.

The switch happened after CJ Sapong was traded to the Chicago Fire last weekend. Sapong, who scored four goals for the Union last year but 16 in 2017, wore the number 17 since he came to the Union in 2015. He was a fan favorite, and still is, which makes it big shoes to fill for Sergio.

Santos will be the seventh player to wear the number 17 for the club. Past players include Yann Ekra, who played with the team in 2013 and Brian Brown in 2014. J.T. Noone, Keon Daniel and Josue Martinez each wore the number for one season in the first three years of the team.

Santos was transferred to the Union in December after a deal was made with Chilean Primera Division club Audax Italiano that included a $500,000 buyout. Santos also wore the number 17 during his time with Audax Italiano.