The Seattle Sounders FC announced on December, 16 2010 that they have agreed to a deal with Swedish midfielder Erik Friberg. This signing will serve to fill the void left by the departures of Nathan Strugis and Sanna Nyassi from the Expansion Draft.
Erik Friberg (middle) is the newest Seattle Sounders FC signee
Friberg is a 24 year-old midfielder expected to either compete with Brad Evans for the other center mid spot besides Osvaldo Alonso or start on the right side as winger.
As many Sounders fans will note, this is not the first Swede that the Sounders have signed. Freddie Ljungberg was the first Designated Player for the first year and a half of the MLS franchise, but was traded away mid season last year. That trade sparked a run that propelled the Sounders into the playoffs for the second time in as many years and also to their second Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.
Friberg is a different player than Ljungberg, and that will benefit the Sounders greatly. For starters, Friberg is almost 10 years younger than Ljungberg. Upon signing, Ljungberg was looked at to be a scorer for the Sounders and he never lived up to that title. He piled up the assists however and even made the Best XI after the 2009 season.
That is the type of play we should expect from Friberg as well. Look for him to make passes that make plays and become scores. In his six years of European play, he has only found the back of the net eight times, but the Sounders brass are going to look for his ability to play smart and create chances.
The signing of Friberg answers some big questions that were surrounding the midfield after Sturgis and Nyassi were both left unprotected in the Expansion Draft last month and were also both taken by the Vancover Whitecaps. As of now, the starting midfield looks to be Steve Zakuani, Alonso, Friberg, and Evans.
