TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
FC Cincinnati on Tuesday announced the signing of center back Tom Pettersson on a free transfer from Swedish side Ostersunds FK, adding a dose of top-flight European experience to their back line.
Pettersson, 29, will occupy an international roster spot and will be added to Cincinnati’s 2020 MLS roster when the Primary Transfer Window opens on Feb. 12 upon the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
He’s made a combined 188 career appearances in the top divisions of Sweden and Belgium as well as a combined eight UEFA Europa League appearances in his last seven seasons. He captained Ostersunds in the recently concluded 2019 Allsvenskan campaign, making 23 appearances (22 starts) and scoring one goal as he played out the final year of his contract.
“Tom is an experienced left-footed center back that we are pleased to add to our roster,” FCC GM Gerard Nijkamp said in a club release. “His strength in building possession out from the back will be an asset to our style of play. We are happy to welcome Tom to Cincinnati as we continue to build our 2020 roster and prepare for the upcoming season.”
Pettersson’s professional career began in 2007 with his hometown club FC Trollhattan, playing in the second division at the time. He went on to make 107 appearances across all competitions, and joined Allsvenskan club Atvidabergs FF after the 2011 campaign, where he played 55 games, scoring seven goals and registering four assists from 2012-14.
After moving abroad to Belgian top-tier side Oud-Heverlee Leuven on loan for the 2013-14 season, he joined IFK Goteborg and then Ostersunds FK in 2017, where he made 101 appearances and scored six goals.
