Seattle Sounders FC announced the signing of 28-year-old defender Jeff Parke in hopes of bolstering a porous back line that has allowed the most goals in the Western Conference.
"We're excited to have Jeff Parke finally join the Sounders," said Seattle coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a very tough, hard-nosed defender who should help our team's defensive efforts."
Parke was selected by Seattle in the 2008 Expansion Draft. The former New York stalwart, however, chose to try his luck overseas but failed and returned to play with the USL’s Vancouver Whitecaps. Parke has spent the last two months training with German teams Fortuna Düsseldorf and FC Augsburg.
Parke, who trained with the Sounders earlier this year and joined the club during its preseason trip to Spain, is to report early next week.
Seattle had hoped to bring in its new defender before the start of the 2010 season, but contract negotiations with the league fell apart after both sides could not agree on a salary number.
Parke will officially be added to the Sounders FC roster and be available for selection pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
