Sounders FC signs star midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro to multi-year deal

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Sounders have made another big move, signing Uruguayan midfielder and World Cup veteran Nicolás Lodeiro to a multi-year deal as the club's newest Designated Player.

The move has been rumored for weeks. In fact, Lodeiro was photographed at Sea-Tac Airport on Tuesday morning with general manager Garth Lagerway. At that time, a Sounders source confirmed to Q13 News that the team was deep in negotiations with the attacking midfielder.

The club made the official announcement Wednesday morning.

"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,” Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said. “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."

Lodeiro, 27, has played professionally across Europe and South America, and has 40 caps for Uruguay.

Lodeiro's arrival comes in a time of turmoil for the Sounders, who parted ways with longtime manager Sigi Schmid on Tuesday after a disappointing start to the season.

The Seattle Sounders shared the first interview with Lodeiro.