Djimi Traoré

• 2005 UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool.
• Ten caps and one goal for Malian national team.
• Sporting Director Chris Henderson: "Traore has a ton of experience, has played in the top leagues. He's experienced with using his body to slow players down, to get in the way. He's a good defender and makes very good decisions with the ball coming out of the back."

MLS Experience

2013: Made 27 appearances for Sounders FC (tied-fifth on team) with 25 starts after being signed in the preseason. Scored 94th minute winner in 1-0 win at KC (5/8), the latest goal in club history. Helped Sounders FC to a 12-8-5 record while in starting lineup. Named to MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week a team-high four times for his performances in week four (SJ), week 11 (SJ and KC), week 14 (CHV), and week 23 (DAL). Third on team with 34 appearances across all competitions. Scored first club goal in second leg of CCL Quarterfinals win vs. TIG (3/12), a 35-yard blast that has been viewed over 1.5 million times on YouTube.

Other Professional Experience

2011-12: Signed one-year contract with Marseille and helped them to a 2012 Coupe de la Ligue title. 2009-11: Signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco and made 36 appearances for the French club. 2007-09: Signed with then-EPL side Portsmouth, helping them to a 2007-08 FA Cup and a UEFA Cup qualification. He made 13 total appearances for Pompey, and was also loaned out to Rennes in 2008 and Birmingham City in 2009. 2006-07: Sold to Charleton Athletic in August of 2006 and made 11 appearances for the Addicks before moving on to Portsmouth. 1999-2006: Signed with Liverpool in 1999 and made 88 appearances in Premiere League play and 150 in all competitions. Played most of the 2002-03. Scored his lone goal for the Reds in a 2003 UEFA Cup match against FC Steaua Bucuresti. Started in 2005 UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan, making a clearance off the line in the second half of a 3-3 draw that Liverpool won, 3-2, in penalty kicks. Traore became the first Malian player to win the storied tournament. Won 2006 FA Cup, 2005 Super League, and 2003 English League Cup. 1996-99: Began his career with his home club Laval of the French Lique 2.

International Experience

Ten caps and one goal for Malian national team from 2004-06.

Personal

Has two children, son Noah (four yrs old) and daughter Malia (three months). Has five brothers and five sisters. His brothers are Paris St. Germain fans and he played for rival Marsielle. He started playing soccer at six yrs old, played youth academy for Laval when he was 15yrs old, signed first pro contract at 17 yrs old. He enjoys playing with his children, who live in Paris with his partner. In England, teammates called him Jimbo. Speaks French and English.