Source: FC Cincinnati nearing loan for Marco Angulo. What it means for both sides
FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright said during preseason that loaning out Marco Angulo could be a logical next step in the FCC player's development, and that's the path that took shape for Angulo and appears to be nearing completion.
A source speaking on condition of anonymity due to not being permitted to discuss the transaction confirmed to The Enquirer that FC Cincinnati was nearing a season-long loan deal in 2024 to send Angulo to Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito of Ecuador.
The deal would include an option for LDU Quito to permanently acquire Angulo, with a purchase option of up to $3 million and FC Cincinnati retaining a percentage of any future sale of Angulo.
FC Cincinnati originally acquired Angulo in December 2022 from Independiente de Valle of Ecuador. He is under contract at FC Cincinnati through at least 2025 with an option year in 2026.
The source stated that paperwork for the deal wasn't yet finalized. LDU is already celebrating the acquisition of Angulo, though, as it released a "welcome" video featuring the player via "X," formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.
Angulo's Instagram account also featured a video and several photographs of him in a LDU Quito uniform.
Angulo didn't immediately respond to The Enquirer's request for comment.
Albright told The Enquirer during a February sit-down interview that Angulo needed more games to gain experience. After logging 784 minutes in Major League Soccer's regular-season for FCC in 2023, a move to LDU Quito could accomplish that.
The move would also give FC Cincinnati roster flexibility and will open up a valuable Under-22 Initiative roster spot. Cincinnati could use that flexibility to acquire a player who meets the criteria to fill the spot through April 23.
"Look, Marco is a really talented player. He was widely regarded as one of the most talented players at his position coming out of South America. The talent is clear," Albright told The Enquirer during the February interview. "His family wasn't able to get into the country last year because of immigration and he's a really young player. There were a lot of things behind the scenes that were difficult like adjusting to a new country, a new culture. That being said, we're still trying to maximize his talent. Early on, Pavel (Bucha) has been a real bright spot and they kind of play the same position so, whether it's continuing to get Marco minutes with us or looking for opportunities to continue his development, perhaps on loan, those are all discussions we're having.
"He's going to have a long career as a really talented player. Sometimes it just takes those guys a few years . . . You saw it with Alvaro with us. He didn't sort of reach his peak until two or three years in. So, we're gonna continue to help Marco develop whether that's immediately with us this year with more minutes or something else to continue that."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's what a loan move for Marco Angulo would mean for FC Cincinnati
