Sounders sign former MLS All-Star Michael Farfan

Former D.C. United midfielder Michael Farfan (photo credit: Diego Muya)

Michael Farfan has joined the Seattle Sounders ahead of the 2016 MLS season after failing to reach a deal with the club a year prior. The midfielder spent the interim in DC, where he made 17 appearances for Ben Olsen and DC United. Farfan began his career with the Philadelphia Union in 2011 and spent three seasons there including an All-Star campaign in 2012.  Both incumbent starting wide midfielders, Andreas Ivanschitz and Nelson Valdez, are on the wrong side of thirty and unlikely to feature in every league game this season. Coupled with mentions of a move to a 4-3-3, signing Farfan should provide much utility for Seattle. A midfielder who can both play wide in a four-man midfield and in a box-to-box capacity in a three-man midfield will come in handy for a team in a formation transition.

Club press release:

SOUNDERS FC SIGNS MIDFIELDER MICHAEL FARFAN 27-year-old spent 2015 season with D.C. United; Four-year MLS veteran has four goals and 10 assists in 99 career appearances                                                                                                                 For Immediate Release: January 20, 2016 SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced the signing of midfielder Michael Farfan. The 27-year-old spent last season with D.C. United following a three-year stint with the Philadelphia Union from 2011-2013. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. “Michael is a technical player with good feet who I’ve followed for a while now,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We were interested in signing Michael last year after having him in camp, so we’re happy he was available to add to our roster now.”   MEDIA RESOURCES FARFAN BIO: http://sndrs.com/7qpp   FARFAN PHOTO GALLERY: http://sndrs.com/3mf4 Farfan started seven of his 17 appearances for D.C. United last season, recording his lone assist of 2015 in a 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 25. Originally drafted by Philadelphia in the Second Round (23rd overall) of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Farfan played three seasons with the Union from 2011-2013. After recording two goals and three assists as a rookie, Farfan followed-up with a 2012 campaign in which he set career-highs in games played (32), starts (31), minutes (2,802) and assists (five). Farfan was sold to Liga MX side Cruz Azul ahead of the 2014 Clausura, where he scored in his lone appearance, a stoppage-time equalizer against Pachuca. “We’re excited to add an experienced and versatile player like Michael to our roster ahead of our upcoming preseason camp,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “We think Michael can come in and provide experience, depth and competitiveness to our midfield and we look forward having him in the squad.”   The San Diego native began his collegiate career with Cal State Fullerton, totaling eight goals and seven assists en route to becoming a two-time First Team All-Big West selection and the league’s 2006 Freshman of the Year Award. He transferred to North Carolina for his final two seasons of eligibility, earning First Team All-ACC and NSCAA First Team All-America honors in 2009 and 2010. A 2010 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, Farfan scored 10 goals and recorded seven assists in 33 career games for the Tar Heels. Sounders FC begins its preseason preparation for the 2016 campaign this month before the club takes part in a series of Desert Friendlies in Tucson against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Portland Timbers and Mexican side Celaya FC in early February. Seattle’s eighth season begins in late February with the 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round against Club America before the MLS season-opener on March 6. 2016 Sounders FC Season Ticket Packages, which include the first leg against Club America on February 23 at CenturyLink Field, are available now for as low as $24 per match via the following link:http://sndrs.com/uxb7 or by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL. TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC signs midfielder Michael Farfan. Name: Michael Farfan Position: Midfielder Height: 5-9 Weight: 160 Born: June 23, 1988 in San Diego, California Hometown: San Diego, California Citizenship: United States / Mexico Acquired: Signed to Sounders FC roster on January 20, 2016 Previous Experience: D.C. United (2015); Cruz Azul (2014); Philadelphia Union (2011-2013) – SOUNDERS FC –