TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Sign
The Seattle Sounders have signed striker Fredy Montero, the club announced Thursday, returning the club’s record scorer.
Montero, 33, was an original member of the Sounders’ expansion season in 2009, scoring the first goal in club history. In four seasons with Seattle, he scored 47 goals and 34 assists in 119 regular season games and his 60 goals in all competitions remain a Sounders record. He helped the club to three US Open Cup triumphs and was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009.
“Fredy is a prolific forward who has proven himself in MLS and abroad, in addition to still holding some club records here,” Sounders general manager and football president Garth Lagerwey said in a club release. “When good players return to Seattle, it speaks to the strong culture we’ve built. I look forward to bringing him into the group and seeing what he can contribute to our attack. “
Let’s make more memories, Seattle!
We missed you, @fredymontero pic.twitter.com/px4RYtYok0
– Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 4, 2021
The Colombian forward left for Sporting CP in the summer of 2013 after having loaned out to Colombia for the first half of the year. During two stints at Sporting, he scored 30 goals. He also spent time in China, returning to MLS in 2017 and 2019-20 with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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 played four times with the Colombian national team.
“I have many fond memories of Fredy Montero in a Sounders jersey and I am delighted to welcome him back to the club,” said Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer. “He has always been a dynamic forward with a strong finishing touch. I am always happy to have players who can score goals and look forward to having him on the training pitch as our 2021 preparations get underway. “
Montero joins a Seattle forward led by designated player Raul Ruidiaz, as well as Will Bruin and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez. The club made it to the MLS Cup in 2020 and fell into the hands of Columbus Crew SC.