The Seattle Sounders are in a period of transition following the dismissal of Sigi Schmid, but the club’s future got a big brighter on Wednesday with the signing of an impact attacking player.
Uruguayan international Nicolas Lodeiro has officially joined the club on a multi-year Designated Player contract. The 27-year-old midfielder joins from Argentinian powerhouse Boca Juniors, where Lodeiro scored six goals in 30 appearances.
Internationally, Lodeiro was a member of Uruguay’s Copa America-winning side in 2011. The midfielder has earned 48 caps for Uruguay, appearing at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, as well as this summer’s Copa America.
“We have doggedly pursued our top target, Nicolás Lodeiro, for the past several months and we are delighted our persistence finally paid off with his signing. We were willing to wait for Nico because we believe in his character off the field as well as his abilities on it,” said Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey. “Wherever he has played he has made his team better. We believe he can be a big piece of where we want to take the Sounders long term.
“For a player who has played in three Copa Americas, winning once, played in two World Cups and played in four Copa Libertadores, twice reaching the semi-final, to join us in the prime of his career reflects the growing stature of not only Seattle, but MLS as a whole.”
Prior to joining Boca Juniors, Lodeiro featured for Uruguayan side Nacional, Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Botagogo, and Dutch powerhouse Ajax. Throughout his career, the 27-year-old midfielder has claimed a total of four league titles.
“The last several months allowed an opportunity for our staff to scour the globe to bring a high-caliber player to the Emerald City, and we are confident we have found one in Lodeiro,” Sounders Sporting Director Chris Henderson said. “Lodeiro has proven himself to be an excellent player, fantastic teammate and beloved fan-favorite at every stage of his professional career, and we are very excited to have him as part of our organization.”
The Sounders hope to see Lodeiro in uniform as soon as Sunday’s clash against the LA Galaxy.
What do you think of the signing? How will Lodeiro fare with the Sounders?
Share your thoughts below.
What position will Lodiero play?
Why did they wait until they tanked their season to sign this guy?
This makes it seem like the Sounders wanted to get rid of Sigi and they set him up to fail. You take away 4 attacking players responsible for 27 goals, then the team doesn’t play well so you fire the manager one day before a big DP signing? I doubt these events are coincidences.
Good points.
I do think all of the above benefits the league, though, no matter how you slice it. Not that you were saying otherwise, but I see it this way for sure. Especially considering that, as someone else said, the sounders look set up to succeed regardless of who’s at the helm, though I’m sure they’ll get someone capable – while Sigi, a proven winner in this league, goes on to fill a vacant coaching spot where his talents are much more needed. The league is evolving before our eyes, cool.
Maybe the signing wanted him gone? I would trade Sigi for him, in a heart beat.
The Sounders didn’t get rid of the biggest part of those 27 goals. Oba. He left. They wanted him to stay. He didn’t want to.
Lodeiro played for Schelloto who won a lot of matches with Sigi. Sometimes things are just coincidence. Boca was eliminated from Copa Libertadores recently making him available.
Word out of Seattle is Dempsey wouldnt even speak with Sigi by the end.
Did he sign for free? Was there a transfer fee? Too much to ask for some important facts to be included with this story/reporting?
Bueller? Bueller?
In ole.com it was reported a transfer fee of 7-8 million.
Seattle is one of the worst teams in MLS, they could be one of the best by next year. Morris starts converting, Dempsey keeps it up one more year. Ozzie too. A young guy gets there.
Yes, I am not completely depressed anymore.