The Seattle Sounders' search for Kasey Keller's successor has been completed.
Seattle announced the long-rumored signing of Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning on Wednesday, ushering in a new era between the posts at CenturyLink Field.
"First off, you don't replace Kasey Keller. What you're looking for is a new goalkeeper," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said in a team release. "We like Michael's background and pedigree. We like his size. He's got good feet so we can play through him and he's very good on crosses, takes good angles and has good hands."
The 30-year-old, 6-foot-5 Gspurning was a veteran of the Austrian domestic circuit before moving to Skoda Xanthi in Greece in 2007. The club's interest in Gspurning dates back to this past summer, and general manager Adrian Hanauer hinted at a potential signing in an October interview with the Seattle Times.
Here are a few more items from around the league:
FIRE CUT FERRARI, NAZARIT
The Chicago Fire stockpiled forwards last season, adding a whole host of names to the depth chart, but a couple of those have failed to make the cut heading into the 2012 season.
The Fire parted ways with former U.S. Under-20 striker Gabriel Ferrari and Colombian Cristian Nazarit on Wednesday, releasing both players from the club.
For the 23-year-old Ferrari, the transaction signifies a disappointing end to a comeback attempt after he joined MLS following a loan-filled journey in Italy and Switzerland. He tore his left ACL in a reserve match in late August and faces another uphill battle to get his career going.
TORONTO FC ADDS LAMBE
Toronto FC added another winger to its player pool by signing 20-year-old Bermuda international Reggie Lambe.
Most recently on loan with Bristol Rovers in England, Lambe came up through the Ipswich Town youth ranks before making the senior team in 2009.
Lambe has only scored in one game on the international stage, but he did so in grand fashion, tallying four times in a victory over St. Martin in the 2008 Digicel Cup.
IMPACT SIGN MONTANO
Miguel Montano became the latest member of the NASL Montreal Impact to join the MLS side, inking a deal with the club on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old Montano joined the impact on loan from the Sounders over the summer and scored once in six appearances. Montano is the second former Sounder to join the impact after Tyson Wahl was acquired on the day of the expansion draft.
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How do you feel about Gspurning taking the reins in Seattle? Disappointed that Ferrari didn't end up making it in Chicago? Like the Lambe signing for Toronto? Think Montano can contribute for the Impact?
Share your thoughts below.