Seattle Sounders sign Fredy Montero, marking the club’s all-time scoring return

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TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: SIGNING

Seattle Sounders signed striker Fredy Montero, the club announced on Thursday, marking a return of the club’s record scorer.

Montero, 33, was an original member of the Sounders expansion season in 2009, scoring the first goal in the club’s history. In four seasons with Seattle, he had 47 goals and 34 assists in 119 appearances in the regular season, and his 60 goals in all competitions remain a Sounders record. He helped lead the club to three US Open Cup triumphs and was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009.

“Fredy is a prolific striker who has proven himself in MLS and abroad, in addition to holding a number of club records here,” Sounders general manager and football president Garth Lagerwey said in a club statement. “When good players come back to Seattle, it talks about the strong culture we’ve built. I look forward to bringing him into the group and seeing what can contribute to our attack. ”

The Colombian striker left for Sporting CP in the summer of 2013, after spending the first half of the year on loan in Colombia. During the two internships with Sporting, he scored 30 goals. He also spent time in China and returned to MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2017, then in 2019-20.

In three seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Montero had 27 goals and 14 assists in 81 games (59 starts). His contract expired after the 2020 season. He also made four appearances with the Colombian national team.

“I have a lot of fond memories of Fredy Montero in a Sounders shirt and I’m excited to receive him back at the club,” said Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer. “He has always been a dynamic striker, with a strong touch. I am always happy to have players who can score goals and I look forward to bringing him to the training ground as our preparations for 2021 grow. ”

Montero joins an advanced group from Seattle, led by designated player Raul Ruidiaz, as well as Will Bruin and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez. The club won the MLS Cup in 2020, falling into the hands of Columbus Crew SC.

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