Seattle Sounders FC Thursday announced that they had bought out the contract of forward O’Brian White, saying it will fulfill the financial obligations of White’s contract but no longer will carry him on the roster. Neither will White’s contract count against the team’s salary budget.
The Sounders said that White would remain in Seattle to continue to his rehab from blood clot surgery.
“Unfortunately, because of his medical situation, we have reached an agreement to buy out O’Brian White’s contract,” said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “We will fully support O’Brian and will continue to help him rehabilitate with the hope he can resume his playing career.”
The 26-year-old White joined Sounders in November 2010 following a trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps. White tallied two goals with two assists in seven starts before undergoing blood-clot surgery in April 2011.
White played his first two MLS seasons for Toronto FC after winning the 2008 MAC Hermann Trophy and Soccer America Player of the Year honors as a junior at the University of Connecticut.
The Sounders, who opened their MLS season last Saturday by defeating Toronto FC 3-1 on David Estrada’s hat trick, play their second league match Friday, hosting the Houston Dynamo at CenturyLink Field. The match begins at 7 p.m.
