Bridgeview, IL -- (Sports Network) - Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire reached a tentative agreement Thursday to loan midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco to Santos of the Mexican Primera Division.

Blanco will join Santos for the Apertura playoffs and rejoin the Fire for the 2009 Major League Soccer season.

He had seven goals and 11 assists in MLS this season, leading the Fire to the Eastern Conference final. Blanco finished third in voting for the league's Most Valuable Player.

Terms of the deal will not be disclosed.