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Sounders sign Lodeiro from Boca Juniors to multi-year deal

John Hefti / USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Sounders picked themselves up a day after parting ways with long-time coach Sigi Schmid, signing veteran Uruguay midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro as the club's third Designated Player.

Lodeiro arrived in Seattle on Tuesday following his decision to leave Boca Juniors - a move which had been rumoured for months. Matt Pentz of the Seattle Times suggests the 27-year-old attacking midfielder could even make his debut on Sunday against the LA Galaxy.

The Uruguayan signed a contract until 2019, according to general manager Garth Lagerwey, with an option to extend the deal by additional years.

He joins forwards Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez as the club's Designated Players, and fills the void left by Obafemi Martins.

"We have doggedly pursued our top target, Nicolas Lodeiro, for the past several months and we are delighted our persistence finally paid off with his signing. We were willing to wait for Nico because we believe in his character off the field as well as his abilities on it," said Lagerwey.

"Wherever he has played has has made his team better. We believe he can be a big piece of where we want to take the Sounders long-term."

Lodeiro has logged quite a few miles in his career, playing for the likes of Ajax, Botafogo, and Corinthians. He also participated in two World Cups and three editions of Copa America, winning the 2011 tournament with Uruguay.

He's expected to help a side that's struggling in the basement of the Western Conference.

Serving as head coach for nearly eight years, Schmid ended his long relationship with Seattle on Tuesday. The team has recorded just 20 points through 20 matches thus far.

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