Transfer Tracker

Seattle Sounders sign free agent midfielder Kelyn Rowe

Kelyn Rowe - New England Revolution - tight shot

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing


The Seattle Sounders have signed free agent midfielder Kelyn Rowe, the club announced Friday. Rowe is a native of Federal Way, Washington, making the move a homecoming of sorts.


Rowe, 29, returned to the New England Revolution in 2020, making 10 starts. He made his name with the club after debuting in 2012 before leaving in 2019. He spent the in-between season with Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake before signing with New England last year. 


"We are excited to bring a local product and proven MLS veteran in Kelyn to the club,” Sounders general manager & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey said in a release. “He’s been a strong player in our league for close to a decade, and I look forward to seeing how he can help us win this season.”

Rowe has made 240 MLS appearances, adding 29 goals and 42 assists. A center mid, Rowe can play multiple roles across the midfield and even played some games at left back in 2018. He helped lead the Revs to MLS Cup in 2014, where his side lost to the LA Galaxy. The former UCLA star has also earned four caps with the US men's national team.


Rowe joins a Seattle team that fell just short of winning MLS Cup, losing last year's final to Columbus Crew SC. Seattle return the majority of their core, led by Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz and more.