Adam Johansson Officially Signs With Seattle Sounders

A couple days after seemingly every news outlet in Sweden announced the signing, the Seattle Sounders made it official: Adam Johansson has joined the team on a multi-year deal. Johansson has played most of his professional career with Swedish power IFK Goteburg and has seen semi-regular time with the Swedish national team since making his international debut in 2009 against the United States and playing in three World Cup qualifiers that year. He most recently appeared with the team in February in a friendly against Cyprus.

"Adam has been a mainstay at Göteborg for years and we are very happy to add him to our defense," Sounders technical director Chris Henderson said in a team release. "His leadership and experience are going to be a great compliment to the growth of our team.

"Adam is very good tactically and is smart in the way he joins the attack from the back. We are pleased he is also in the running for the starting right back role for Sweden as they prepare for the Euros."

From the sound of it, Johansson will be presumed starter at right back and could very well be an upgrade over James Riley. Johansson was reportedly weighing offers from elsewhere in Europe, but was won over by the Sounders during a recent visit. Former Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg apparently had nothing but good things to say about the Sounders to Johansson, who also spoke with New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe about the league.

"I had a great stay in Seattle while meeting with officials from the club, and seeing the stadium and training ground," Johansson said in the release. "I got a really good feeling. It will be a new start for me, a new life. It's going to be a good adventure."

If there is any concern about Johansson it is his health. A somewhat serious knee injury in 2009 derailed his promising international career and he has not been able to crack Sweden's first team since then. He has also battled injuries more recently, but is apparently healthy now.