Sounders FC began filling holes in its defense Thursday by signing Swedish defender Adam Johansson to a multi-year contract.
Johansson is 28 years old and has spent the past seven seasons with IFK Gteborg of the Allvenskan, the top league in Sweden.
“Adam has been a mainstay at Gteborg for years, and we are very happy to add him to our defense,” Sounders technical director Chris Henderson said in a press release. “His leadership and experience are going to be a great complement to the growth of our team.
“Adam is very good tactically and is smart in the way he joins the attack from the back. We are pleased he is also in the running for the starting right-back role for Sweden as they prepare for the Euros.”
Johansson has made nine appearances with the Sweden national team, including his international debut in a 2009 friendly against the United States at Carson, Calif.
“The Sounders are one of the biggest teams in the United States,” Johansson said in a press release. “They want to be one of the top clubs in North and South America and have big crowds. I’m joining a club with a very good reputation.”
Johansson plays both defensive sides and is expected to help fill the openings created by the losses of James Riley (expansion draft) and Tyson Wahl (trade).
Terms of the deal were not announced.
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