TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
The Seattle Sounders utilized Targeted Allocation Money to bolster their midfield engine room with another Scandinavian import on Tuesday.
Norwegian attacking midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem joined the Sounders after spending the last three seasons with Malmo. Eikrem is the fourth player added to the Sounders roster using TAM.
"We are happy to sign a player like Magnus with extensive European topflight experience and a history of winning trophies," said Sounders FC general manager & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey in a club release. "He is the type of player we like to target with these TAM-level signings and we look forward to what he brings to our locker room, in addition to giving us another skilled, versatile option in the midfield."
Seattle already have Swedish international Gustav Svensson on their roster, and fans fondly remember the contributions of midfielder Erik Friberg, a Swede who wore Rave Green in 2011, 2015 and 2016.
A product of the youth academy at Norwegian club Molde, Eikrem played under Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer there and also spent several years in the English giants' system. Subsequent destinations included Cardiff City and Dutch side Heerenveen before he landed at Malmo.
Eikrem is billed as a playmaker but can fill multiple roles in midfield, and represents useful depth and competition alongside the likes of Svensson, Rodriguez, Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan.
The midfielder has 17 caps for the Norwegian national team, including six appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, in addition to a number of call-ups to the Norway youth sides.
"It is always good to add players with a championship mentality to our roster as we attempt to get back to MLS Cup this season," said Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer. "On top of that, healthy competition at every position is good for the team, and I look forward to getting Magnus into preseason camp and seeing how he fits with the squad."
