Lamar Neagle is heading back to where it all started. The Seattle Sounders announced on Sunday that they have re-acquired midfielder Lamar Neagle from the Montreal Impact in exchange for an international roster spot through the end of the 2014 season.
A native of Seattle suburb Federal Way, the 25-year-old Neagle is joining Sounders FC for the third time following successful stints with the club in 2009 and 2011. Neagle spent the 2012 MLS season with the expansion Impact after he was traded by Seattle along with Mike Fucito to Montreal in exchange for forward Eddie Johnson. Neagle scored two goals with two assists in 23 appearances last season.
"We are very excited about bringing Lamar back to Seattle," Sounders sporting director Chris Henderson said in a club statement. "He is an attacking midfielder who plays smart and adds versatility to our club. Lamar scored a few key goals for us in the past while being a very consistent player. He is a great teammate and positive presence in the locker room."
Neagle initially joined Sounders FC on June 10, 2009, before earning Golden Boot and MVP honors in USL-2 for the Charleston Battery in 2010. Following the 2010 season, Neagle was signed by Finland's IFK Mariehamn, where he played in five leagues matches, scoring two goals. He then signed with Seattle as a free agent on March 2, 2011, and scored a career-high five goals with two assists in 23 appearances. During the 2011 MLS season, Neagle became the second player in club history to net a hat trick.
Neagle was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection while at UNLV. He earlier played for Federal Way's Thomas Jefferson High School.
"It's amazing to come home and rejoin the Sounders," said Neagle in a statement. "The fans have had so much support for me throughout my career and Sigi was the first coach to give me a chance. It'll be fun for me to connect back with the guys and get to work. I'm looking forward to having a strong season."
