Sporting KC Acquire Liga MX Striker, Santiago Munoz

Mr. Burns is at it again. Shortly after the gif dropped from Sporting Kansas City, Daniel Sperry of the KC Star announced the signing of Santiago Munoz from Liga MX’s Santos Laguna. The move is a loan signing through the end of 2025 with an option to buy at the end of the year. The signing doesn’t require an international roster spot since he hold dual citizenship.

Y'all mind if we announce a new player? pic.twitter.com/9si2WuOIGW

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) April 22, 2025

While Sperry of the KC Star was first with the official news, Juan Manuel Figueroa had the news earlier today when it was considered just a rumor. Tom Bogert later confirmed the reporting.

Breaking: #SportingKC are signing Santos Laguna fwd Santiago Muñoz on a loan through the end of the 2025 season, per sources.

Option to buy at the end of the year.

The 22-year-old Mexican-American has dual citizenship, and won't take up an INTL slot.

He has 6 career goals.

— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) April 22, 2025

The 22-year-old center forward has six career goals. He has 12 appearances in Liga MX this season with no goals and a single assist. Before that, he spent time on loan with Newcastle in the English Premier League but only appeared for their U21 team.

Fit with Sporting KC

Munoz enters a crowded center forward room with Sporting KC. The team signed $4 million Designated Player Dejan Joveljic in preseason, as well as new CF Mason Toye just before preseason. The team also already has William Agada under contract through the 2025 season.

Perhaps Munoz can play a position other than center forward, or this is a look to the future with Agada out of contract after this season. Transfermarkt does show all of Santiago Munoz’s minutes coming at center forward or as a withdrawn second striker.

There is also the possibility that another move is coming. Real Salt Lake had inquired about Willy Agada earlier in the season. There was talk that there was something real there, but one party (it’s unclear who) held that move up.

Rumor: RSL Inquired about Agada, Should Sporting KC Sell?

If another move isn’t coming, maybe a look at another formation is? Sporting KC has almost exclusively played in a 4-3-3 for a very long time. With four players all vying for one spot on the field, maybe going to a two forward setup is in the cards.

Regardless of whatever other chips fall before the transfer window closes tomorrow, April 23rd, it feels like a low risk move for Kansas City. It’s possible Santos Laguna is paying a portion of Munoz’s wages and Sporting KC will get a look at a player that could develop long-term if Agada isn’t in the team’s plans beyond 2025.

One item worth noting is that Munoz does not qualify for the U-22 Initiative because he turns 23 this summer.

Worst case, he can get some minutes with Sporting KC II who don’t have a true center forward on the roster. The KC Soccer Journal will have more news on Munoz and any corresponding moves when it’s available.

Update 5:02PM: Sporting KC made it official.