Bridgeview, IL -- (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire finalized an agreement for the loan of Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco on Friday to play with Santos of the Mexican Primera Division for the 2008 Apertura playoffs.

"The Chicago Fire is pleased to have reached an agreement with Mexican club Santos Laguna for the short-term loan of midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco," said Chicago Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. "Playing with Santos in the 2008 Apertura playoffs will offer Cuauhtemoc the opportunity to continue to compete at a high level during the MLS off season."

"The organization of Santos Laguna is thrilled," said Daniel Guzman, Technical Director of Santos.

Santos added Blanco to fill in for injured Christian Benitez, who suffered a fracture recently and will miss the postseason.

"We found an ideal reinforcement," said Guzman. "There is no doubt that Cuauhtemoc has a lot to give. We extended the invitation to him and what I am most pleased about was his desire to play soccer wherever he is."

Blanco is the fourth Major League player to be loaned out this offseason as David Beckham and Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy will be joining AC Milan and Bayern Munich respectively, and D.C. Uniteds Fred has been loaned to Wellington FC Phoenix in New Zealand.

Terms of the deal will not be disclosed.