Rave Green fans had to say goodbye to longtime fan favorite Leo Gonzalez when the player, who has been with the Seattle Sounders since the team’s beginning in 2009, had his options declined by the club. Social media and fans everywhere are declaring, “Once a Sounder, always a Sounder” as they wave goodbye to the man who always played with a full heart both on and off the field. Now Gonzalez is returning to his country of birth, Costa Rica, and rejoining the team he originally played for before joining on with the Seattle Sounders: CS Herediano.

Gonzalez was the third most active player in the club history, appearing 137 times during the regular season. He also participated in 13 playoff games. In 2013, Leo, as fans always call him, was even the Defender of the Year. But his seven years with the team is officially at a close; even his Wikipedia page describes him as a player for CS Herediano.

Fans across the nation are wishing Leo well and declaring their support for his move, especially after he initially said that he wasn’t sure if he would retire from playing or not at the end of the season. He spoke of becoming an administrator of the game, or to perhaps become a coach, so fans are delighted to see that, while he won’t be a part of the Seattle scene anymore, he will at least continue to play for now.

The last time Leo was a part of CS Herediano, he was with the team when they went to the World Cup in 2006. He appeared with the team more than 150 times, so he is something of a legend there. The rookies on the team will likely be both delighted and intimidated to meet such an accomplished player when he rejoins the team.

In a photo in his Twitter feed, Gonzalez appeared happy to be rejoining his childhood team. His family and friends in Costa Rica are likely to appreciate his return as well. Although he’ll always have the Sounders with him in Spirit, Gonzalez will be sorely missed among both fans as well as his teammates in Seattle. Hopefully the Sounders will continue to fill their roster with the fresh faces that they so desire and Leo, along with the other Sounders whose options were declined this year, will all find rewarding and fulfilling careers as well.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia