Swedish international defender Adam Johansson was signed Thursday to a multi-year contract, the Seattle Sounders FC said. Johansson’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 visa and international clearance.
The 28-year-old Johansson played the past seven years for IFK Göteborg in Sweden’s top league, the Allvenskan. He made 129 league appearances for the club since 2005, scoring two goals.
In 2009, Johansson made his full international debut for Sweden in a friendly against the United States at Carson, CA., and later started in three World Cup qualifiers, playing both the left and right side. His ninth and most recent cap came against Cyprus in February 2011.
Johansson began his professional career with Västra Frölunda of the second tier in 2002.
“Adam has been a mainstay at Göteborg for years and we are very happy to add him to our defense,” said Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson. “His leadership and experience are going to be a great compliment 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 visited Seattle during his negotiations.
“I had a great stay in Seattle while meeting with officials, and seeing the stadium and training ground,” said Johansson. “I got a really good feeling. It will be a new start for me, a new life. It’s going to be a good adventure.
“The Sounders are one of the biggest teams in the United States. 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 is 5-11 and weighs 165 pounds. He was born Feb. 21, 1983 in Goteborg, Sweden.
Seattle Sounders FC Offseason News/Transactions
- Nov. 23: Lost defender James Riley to the Montreal Impact in the MLS expansion draft. Riley came to the Sounders in the 2008 expansion draft from the San Jose Earthquakes. After his selection, the Impact traded Riley to Chivas USA.
- Nov. 23: Accepted the resignation of lead broadcaster Arlo White, who took a position with NBC as its lead announcer on MLS coverage.
- Nov. 24: Traded defender Tyson Wahl to the Montreal Impact in exchange for allocation money. Wahl made 39 appearances for the Sounders in three seasons after coming to Seattle in the 2008 expansion draft from Kansas City, where he played three seasons.
- Dec. 2: Announced that defender Taylor Graham, a seven-year MLS veteran, and goalkeeper Terry Boss, both retired. They had been members of the Sounders since 2009.
- Dec. 6: Announced that the club would kick off its fourth season in MLS on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at home; time, opponent, and national broadcast information to be announced.
- Dec. 7: Signed Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning as a replacement for Kasey Keller. Gspurning, 30, has been capped three times by Austria and played the past four seasons for Skoda Xanthi of Greece’s top flight.
- Dec. 14: signed the Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales to a two-year contract, announced at the club’s annual business meeting Tuesday with season-ticket holders . Rosales, 30, set the club record with 13 assists in 26 league matches, ranking third in MLS. He also scored five goals.
- Dec. 29: Signed Swedish defender Adam Johansson to a multi-year contract.
