The Seattle Sounders have completed the signing of Swiss national team striker Blaise Nkufo, the club announced on its team website on Thursday.
Nkufo is currently the captain of Dutch champions FC Twente and will join the Sounders after this summer's World Cup. The deal had been in the works for six months as the Sounders and Nkufo's agent, Oliver Wyss of W3 Sports Management finalized the deal this week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and it remains unclear whether he is coming as a Designated Player or not.
An accomplished goal scorer, Nkufo should help form a deadly strike force alongside Freddy Montero, assuming the Sounders don't lose Montero in the European transfer market this summer, which is a real possibility. A 6-foot-2 target striker, Nkufo will come to MLS at the age of 35, but his steady play in the Dutch League would suggest that he should still make a major impact once he joins the Sounders.
“He’s a proven goal-scorer who has had a good run with the Swiss National Team in their qualifying for the World Cup,” Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid told SoundersFC.com. “He’s had a tremendous run at Twente and is a player that knows how to find space in the box at appropriate moments.”
What do you think of this signing? Impressed that the Sounders were able to land a player of Nkufo's quality? Think Seattle could win a title in year two?
Share your thoughts below.
Wow, very impressive. They could easily make a run to the Cup.
I think Montero’s gone in the winter transfer window next year, after the Sounders buy his rights.
why exactly would South American clubs want to send their players to MLS rather than selling them directly to Europe for more dough?
Let me add my: “Whaaaaaaaat?” Insurance for Montero or championship for the Sounders.
The Sounders are also using a video scounting database service that top European Clubs use to track prospects all over the world. I read last year that they were paying over a million for the service.
That is exactly what I am talking about.
I want to see more South American talent coming here before they go to Europe or Mexico.
An if they aren’t happy with him move Evans back there. With time he could be one of the best right backs in the league.
Big thanks to Sounders management, they recognized that they needed a finisher and went out and got one! This should take pressure off Montero. I’m excited to see this dynamic duo at work.
haha, I wish we had a beer garden.
Looks like his skillset will hold up as he declines. Guy has great timing, a good knowledge of where to put the ball and can probably handle a bit of contact in traffic.
Kudos to the Sounders, they seem to be getting it right (it pains me to say it) once again.
In a related “Gamble On Greatness” move, the San Jose Earthquakes announced today that they will add a new booth in the beer garden! Take that Sounders!
Montero is gone this summer for sure.
We have a solid right back. Riley puts the best crosses in on the team. He hustles and gives his all everytime. He has been a liability a few times, but who hasn’t in the MLS?
Thanks for correcting me. Point was, Angel still had some game in him.
Now how about a right back.
He wouldn’t necessary need a DP to be signed. The fact that he wants to be more closer to his wife. At the least he would get is a max contract.
I think that everyone understands that, but face the facts, if you are a soccer fan in the US and attend MLS games, you are in the minority.
“Terms of the deal were not disclosed and it remains unclear whether he is coming as a Designated Player or not.”
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Huh??? Seattle already has its DP. Have they acquired a DP slot from some other team? Has MLS announced a new 2 per team DP policy? Is Freddy Ljundberg being sold after the World Cup?
If the answer to those question is ‘no’, then he can’t be a DP.
(SBI-Fischy, the POINT is that we don’t know the answer to ANY OF THOSE, therefore we don’t know if he’ll be a DP or not. He’s certainly got the talent and pedigree to be DP-worthy, and Schmid’s comparisons to Angel make you wonder.)
I heard at one point we were the only team with a scouting department, also all our coaches went over seas to various countries this off-season to watch training drills and scout more players. I hope the rest of the league can upgrade because it will only make the league better…except I hate how the league is ran, so hopefully it becomes like a normal league too.
Absolutely fantastic get for the Sounders.
Wow hard to criticize signing the captain of a top Dutch club side. Not that that’s stopping people here.
The turf in Seattle is softer than grass by a lot. Even an old guy like me can run on that all day long.
The Sounders need a finisher and they got one. Maybe past his prime, but playing with a player like Ljungberg ( when he is playing well ) should help his goal drop off.
21 days, til the tailgate under the viaduct, all are welcome, bring beer..
I can’t wait that long….
SEEEEEEAAAAAAAATTTTTTLLLLLLEEEESOOOOUUUUUNDDDDEEEERRRS
First of Montano, barely even changed the name, second of all, the Sounders have no need to sell players to Europe.
To say they are rolling in cash is a huge understatement.
Good signing, good point on the turf though, as a fan of the dutch league he has been a solid player but not the best fit player which might hurt him a bit.
Wonderful signing. We need someone with poise in the box. He should work well with Freddie L delivering balls.
35? Seattle’s turf will chew up this guy’s knees and spit out bones.
Scared?
Failadelphia at their best right here.
P-U. Knew something was stinking up this place.
This is the kind of signing that is great for MLS. It probably won’t be talked about on ESPN, but the Sounders signed a talented, established veteran who will fit into this league and improve the overall quality.
“Why can’t Dallas run their team like Seattle … ??”
Because HSG sucks, that’s why. If you are a Dallas fan, you should already know that. HSG will never change.
Angel was 31…BTW
Those who follow European football know that this is a border-line blockbuster signing for them. Almost perfect.
Those who don’t follow will think he’s washed up and ask “Who’s this guy?” But believe you me, he’s fantastic even at his age.
I don’t know why some people can’t understand that
Paul,
I know, he does seem a bit old – BUT, he’s been FC Twente’s leading scoring for six straight seasons, ever since he’s been there. This is a HUGE move for the Sounders…
Err, I mean US and Canada, not Mexico. So not all of North America.
Wow. Good signing, in my opinion. I know he’s old, but his play has been consistent and it doesn’t seem like he’s just coming to retire (but then again, I can’t prove that statement). On paper, this looks like a a great signing. Sounders have a lot of pull right now, considering in terms of finance and local cultural they are the most successful soccer team in North America right now…
The Sounders have 2 full time scouts. Some MLS team have 1 part time scout. Which can work with allocation and lottery systems in the MLS but its hard to find quality of MLS price though.
Hehe, the Union plays both games w/ the Sounders before this guy arrives.
Go Union!
This guy has scored consistently for the last 5 seasons, putting up multiple 20 goal seasons…I think he has a bit left, if he’s read for a World Cup, he’s ready to suit up for Seattle for a few seasons. Who are Seattle’s scouts, why does it seem like they are the only one’s making these signings…Ljunderg, montero, alonso, kelloer, Nfuku…
Well, being from Seattle I hope that I can now stop yelling at my TV, “Jaqua!!! you slow ####!”
Although he is 35 years old, what else can we expect to get for a league that monopolizes players rights and can only afford to pay most of them under 50k a year.
We will never attract younger international talent until we can have more than one DP.
You mean like the Montano kid they are bringing in? 18 year old creative goal scorer from Columbia? Someone like him?
Nice addition for a club in need of a Forward with Jaqua hurt. It will be nice for Freddie L. to give service to a player who can stay calm & finish. Even if it takes until August to get him.
yes, he is 35 but it is still a good signing of a player that not only still has a lot left (notice all his goals in 2010 world cup qualifying) but also will be able to give a lot of direction and lessons to the young MLS players. you need experience as well as up and comming talent. Well done Seattle.
Daaaaaammn. Sounders are killing it. Why can’t Dallas run their team like Seattle … ?? Great for Seattle, great for MLS … assuming there is a season this year …
Ives, please tell me there is going to be an MLS campain kicking off THIS month. A strike would be catastropic for US soccer. Sports Center would have a field day with this. SC already HATES soccer so much … any negative soccer press is a plus for them. Chris McKindrey didn’t even pernounce Boca’s name correctly on top plays for his goal yesterday. Not that were not capable of making mistakes, but c’mon …
Can you write up a piece on the pending stike for MLS? I hope and pray that this doesn’t happen.
This guy is a goalscorer. Great pick up for Seattle.
Amit is right, this is a JPA type pick-up.
Why would anyone be surprised? He’s 35. I honestly don’t know anything about Nkufo, but at that age he has to know his career is nearing it’s end, and he won’t be in as high demand in a better league e.g, anything outside of the MLS.
I don’t know – 35? He will be good for what? 1 year maybe.
Why don’t we find more Freddy Montero’s out there? Build a pipeline from South America of talented players and then sell them to Europe.
Montero has been one of the more exciting players we have had in MLS for a while.
Make MLS the the stop before they go onto Europe from South America.
Angel is not a good comparison to this guy. He came here when he was 29.
Good signing. May only have a 1.5-2 seasons of output for Sounders, but still a good signing.
Just give us the cup now. We’re going undefeated once he’s here. Sorry everyone else.
Nice pickup Adrian. Sucks that he wont be with the team till after the WC, hugh upgrade from Jaqua.
This is the Juan Pablo Angel type signing that everyone needs. A guy that is well accomplished without a bunch of glitz and glammour surrounding him.