Northwestern goalkeeper Tyler Miller has apparently spurned the Seattle Sounders for a deal with a team in the German fourth division, according to a report on Monday.
The Northwestern-focused site insidenu.com reported that Miller, a 6-foot-4 netminder who the Sounders selected with the 33rd overall pick in last week’s MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, has signed with SVN Zweibrücken of Regionalliga Sudwest through the 2015 season.
Miller was considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects in this year’s draft class after he was the unanimous choice for Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year last season with the Wildcats. There was well-known some risk involved with selecting Miller, however, because he had expressed interest in signing abroad and skipped the MLS Combine and SuperDraft while trialing with teams in Germany.
Seattle general manager Garth Lagerwey told MLSsoccer.com after the draft that the team was aware of the possibility that Miller would attempt to latch on in Europe, but his skill level combined with the need for a third goalkeeper still made it worth the chance.
"We feel like this kid could be a good long-term asset, and we think that’s true irrespective of whether he comes back [from Germany] now or not,” Lagerwey said.
Miller’s overseas deal does not necessarily mean he can’t suit up for the Sounders at some point in the future. Seattle retain his MLS rights for two years and can conduct contract or trade negotiations with him if he does decide to return to MLS in that timeframe.
The Sounders, meanwhile, still need a No. 3 goalkeeper after losing former reserve Josh Ford to Orlando City in the MLS Expansion Draft in December. They recently acquired veteran Troy Perkins to slot in behind presumptive starter Stefan Frei.
