TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Seattle Sounders added a second center back to their roster on Tuesday, signing veteran Shane O'Neill. The 26-year-old center back joins Seattle after spending the past two seasons with Orlando City SC, where he started 21 of his 24 appearances
Seattle has seen the departures of Roman Torres, Kim Kee-hee and Jonathan Campbell this offseason — with Kee-hee being the only possibility to return to Seattle in 2020. But GM and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey said the Korean was "probably not coming back" on Tuesday.
"Shane is a good veteran player that addresses a position of need for us," said Lagerwey in a statement. "He's a guy with experience in MLS and abroad, and we're looking forward to welcoming him to the squad as preseason camp begins."
Originally signed as a Homegrown Player for the Colorado Rapids in 2012, O'Neill made 52 MLS appearances from 2012-2015. He then went abroad from 2015-2018 after being bought by Cypriot club Apollon Limassol, but spent time on loan with NAC Breda and Cambridge United before moving to Dutch side Excelsior for the 2017-2018 season.
Xavier Arreaga was the only true center back on Seattle's roster prior to O'Neill's signing, with Gustav Svensson and Jordy Delem capable of filling in along the backline. O'Neill will likely fight for playing time with additional signings.
