The Seattle Sounders on Tuesday signed defender Marc Burch, three weeks after they made him their No. 1 priority in the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
The Sounders traded up to land the top pick of Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 12, where they promptly selected the former D.C. United veteran before any other teams could swoop in.
"We are happy to have Marc signed," head coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement. "He will be a welcome addition to an already deep team."
Burch, 27, appeared in 17 games for D.C. United in 2011, and a career-high 28 games for the club in 2008. He was drafted by the LA Galaxy in the second round of the 2006 SuperDraft, and was traded to Columbus later that season, where he first played for Schmid. He was dealt to D.C. in 2007.
"I'm excited to take another step forward in my career and to play again for Sigi in Seattle," Burch said in a statement. "Seattle has made an impact during its short history since coming into league. I've always respected the way the Sounders played and I just want to help push them further.
"The Sounders have done well in their first few seasons, making the playoffs and winning the Open Cup," he added. "I would like to help them take that next step, to go further in the Champions League and the MLS playoffs. I believe they have what it takes to win an MLS Cup and hopefully I can help them achieve that."
