The Seattle Sounders FC, MLS’s newest team, announced
their newest signing on Tuesday afternoon. Swedish winger Freddie
Ljungberg has joined the expansion club as a Designated Player,
becoming the team’s fourth player signed. The Sounders are still
without a coach, however.
Ljungberg said that he had been questioned about a move to MLS by
many people who thought the 31-year-old should continue to play for
one of the high profile clubs in Europe rather than coming to the
United States. He admitted that he felt as though he could have
stayed in Europe for a few more years.
“[But] I thought it would be a lie to the American fans to come
later,” he said on a conference call. “For me, personally, when I
get on the pitch I go 100 percent. I want to play well.”
At Arsenal, where Ljungberg spent nine seasons, the flamboyant
midfielder compiled several personal honors including the 2002
Barclay’s Premier League Player of the Year. But a summer 2007
transfer to West Ham proved unproductive. He was released by the
Hammers in August after scoring only two goals and suffering a rib
injury that ended his season in April.
After seven months out of action, Ljungberg is now hoping that a
move to MLS will help him jumpstart his career and rebuild
reputation.
“While I’ve been off I’ve trained every day,” he said. “I’ve
trained hard the last month and my body has held up well.”
Moving to a new league will offer Ljungberg a new set of
challenges. The travel in MLS can be brutal to players from Europe
but Ljungberg thinks that his experience playing in the Champions
League with Arsenal and flying to games all over Europe has him
well prepared for the grind of the American season.
