It has happened. The Seattle Sounders announced today that they are trading Lamar Neagle, this past summer’s “Prince of the Pitch,” and contender for Goal of the Year, to D. C. United. The trade is not happening between players, but funds. In exchange for Neagle, the Seattle Sounders will receive both general allocation money and targeted allocation money. Neagle has been with the team for three seasons, playing a total of 93 games for the club.

Neagle offered a heartfelt goodbye letter to the team, fans and Seattle on his website on Monday. He told a story about how, as a child, he had the opportunity to be the ball boy for the Sounders and never forgot it, and he was a big fan of the local teams as he grew up. “Playing professionally for your home team is something most people never get to do, it’s very special.  I have had the amazing opportunity to live out every kid’s dream!” he wrote.

Neagle’s wife will have to leave her job in order to travel with her husband and the two will be leaving family, friends and their entire community behind. Still, he praised his team, his manager and his family for all of their support as well.

He thanked the fans and his team for their continuous support and for “making it easy” to play for the team day in and day out. He mentioned the Neagle Foundation and offered gratitude for the support he has received there as well. He ended his message with, “Thank you Seattle. DC, here I come!” Even though he will be moving so far from home to play for a new team, Neagle’s enthusiasm and positivity continue to shine through in every statement. He even spoke of excitement about moving to Washington, D. C. and exploring the area to make a new community for his family. He also thanked D. C. United for their faith in him and for this new opportunity.

Good luck to you, Lamar. May you find new dreams to pursue in Washington, D. C. and may you make them come true.

To offer support to Neagle and his family, feel free to Tweet messages of encouragement to @LamarNeagle. Be sure to keep messages positive for the family during their time of transition. You can also visit the Neagle Foundation and find out how to help youth in sports in the Pacific Northwest Region.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia