Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero admitted he was relieved to finally obtain his US green card for permanent residency.

The 23-year old Colombian will now come off the Sounders international roster and he admitted it was a great feeling to be able to 'open doors' in the United States.

"Of course a lot of people have a very difficult time getting their green card, but thank god I have mine now. I just want to continue doing a great job for the team that helped me get my green card and keep playing good soccer," he told the Seattle Times.

"It's something that is necessary. It opens up a lot of doors in the United States, not only for the team but in my personal life and what I think about doing in my future. The team benefits but I also benefit.

"I feel fortunate because it was actually a relatively fast process. I think it was less than seven months and now that I have it I'm just happy."