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UPDATE: Nelson Valdez has already landed and was greeted at the airport by Garth Lagerwey.
With the Seattle Sounders' announcement of Andreas Ivanschitz already in the books, that leaves one more potential signing ahead of the transfer window closing on Thursday. A source close to the team has informed Sounder at Heart that player is likely Paraguay international Nelson Valdez. An announcement is expected later this week.
In addition to our reporting, this tweet suggests Valdez is on his way to Seattle.
La MLS es el destino de Nelson Haedo.. Seattle... pic.twitter.com/qsi56a5bdB
— Jotita Bernabe (@jotabernabe) August 4, 2015
If Valdez's name sounds familiar, that might be because the Sounders were rumored to have been trying to sign him back in 2013. But Valdez reportedly turned down a $4 million transfer offer, instead electing to remain with Valencia, a team that was in the midst of a Champions League run.
The 31-year-old attacking player was most recently with Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga, making 10 appearances, playing about 500 minutes and scoring just one goal while battling a knee injury. Valdez and Frankfurt mutually agreed to terminate his contract last month, leaving him free to find a new team.
Since scoring nine goals during his Bundesliga debut season with Werder Bremen in 2005-06, Valdez had carved out an impressive European career. Valdez racked up 61 goals across all competitions over 10 seasons and played for big clubs in Germany, Russia, Spain and Greece. The bulk of that time was spent in the Bundesliga, where he spent parts of six seasons, including four with Borussia Dortmund.
Valdez also has 62 caps and 10 goals with the Paraguay national team, for which he's still an active member. Valdez's most recent goal was against Argentina in June's Copa America.
Valdez has played most as a forward during his career, but more recently has transitioned to more of an outside mid. At the very least, he gives the Sounders another proven scorer.