SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders may have a new Swedish midfielder soon.
Speculation on the imminent signing of Erik Friberg from BK Häcken of Sweden’s Allsvenskan league heated up on Friday.
During a live chat on TheSeattle Times website Thursday, general manager Adrian Hanauer’s words made it sound as though the 24-year-old midfielder could soon be on his way to the Emerald City.
“We're definitely looking at players in Scandinavia,” Hanauer wrote. "We like Erik. Let's leave it at that for now."
Hanauer’s words were corroborated by page on BK Häcken’s official website, www.bkhacken.se, which appears to indicate that the move is pretty much assured. A Sounders spokesperson had no comment on the speculation on Friday.
The Sounders gained roster flexibility earlier this week when three foreign players acquired green cards, which freed up international roster spots.
Friberg’s addition would help the Sounders mitigate the losses of Nathan Sturgis and Sanna Nyassi in the Expansion Draft. Based on a highlight compilation, it appears Friberg is primarily a right-sided player with good passing ability.
The Sounders made Friberg's fellow Swede, Freddie Ljungberg, the team’s first Designated pPlayer. He played one-and-a-half seasons with the club before being traded to the Chicago Fire.
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