TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signings
The Seattle Sounders made two big moves at the transfer deadline on Tuesday night, bringing in one new face in center back Xavier Arreaga and re-acquiring a familiar face in left back Joevin Jones.
Arreaga, who joins from Ecuadorian side Barcelona SC, will count as a Designated Player on Seattle's roster. In order to add Arreaga as a DP, Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used to buy down the contract of winger Victor Rodriguez.
The Sounders were able to bring back Jones using TAM after seeing him leave for Germany's Darmstadt at the end of the 2017 season. The Athletic's Sam Stejskal reports that Seattle paid transfer fee of $150,000 to Darmstadt to in order to sign Jones.
"We're constantly looking to improve our squad, and today we've brought in two players - a new face and a familiar face," said Sounders GM & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey in a team statement. "We needed to get younger at the center back position, and we think Xavier is a player who gives us a good long-term solution. Additionally, we wanted to give ourselves another versatile option in the attack, and Joevin is a player we know well and are confident can come in and help us right away."
Arreaga, 24, played the last four seasons for Barcelona in the Ecuadorian top flight, starting 78 of his 79 appearances. The defender tallied eight goals with the Ecuadorian club, including three each in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Arreaga started all 10 of his appearances in 2019. He previously spent two seasons to start his pro career with Manta FC of Ecuador, scoring four goals in 2015. He earned his first international cap for Ecuador in a 2-1 friendly win over Panama on November 20, 2018.
"We have followed Xavier for some time in Ecuador and our scouting department has watched him live many times," said Sounders VP of soccer & sporting director Chris Henderson. "He is a cerebral defender and organizes the team from the back, in addition to being technically sound and comfortable with the ball at his feet. Xavier is also a proven leader, as shown by captaining his club side at the young age of 24."
Joevin Jones | USA Today Images
Jones, 27, spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Sounders after being acquired from the Chicago Fire. With Seattle, Jones made 63 appearances, with three goals and 14 assists. He won 2016 MLS Cup with the Sounders.
"We welcome the return of Joevin, as he comes back to Seattle with some good experience from his time in Germany," said Henderson. "Joevin is a versatile left-footed player that initiates attacks through skillful technique and combinations. After having very good success as a setup man in his first stint in Seattle, we look forward to seeing him contribute again."
Jones left the club when his contract expired after the 2017 season, signing with Darmstadt in the German second tier. With the club he made 44 appearances over the last season and a half, adding six goals and four assists.
He has 71 appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
