Fresh off their U.S. Open Cup victory, the Sounders Friday signed defender Onyekachi Apam, who will be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 visa and international transfer clearance. The 27-year-old Apam has made 128 appearances in France’s Lique 1 for Stade Rennes and OCG Nice.
“Onyekachi brings vast experience from French Lique 1 and the Nigerian National Team,” said Sounders sporting director Chris Henderson. “He is a versatile defender who can play central or wide and has the ability to start our attack from the back as well.”
Apam, 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, has appeared 14 times for the Nigerian National Team and won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Apam began his youth career with the Pepsi Football Academy and Engu Rangers in Nigeria before moving to OCG Nice after a tryout in 2005. He went on to make 105 appearances for Nice before transferring to Rennes in 2010, where he made 23 appearances from 2010-14.
After their 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, giving them their fourth Open Cup in six years, the Sounders remained in the east. They play the New York Red Bulls Saturday at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. PT and will be nationally televised on NBC Sports Network.
