Erik Friberg clears way for Sounders return

Erik Friberg is officially on the move. The Swedish midfielder has formally parted ways with his Danish club, Esbjerg fB, and has already signed with a "foreign club." His new contract is for 3.5 years, with the final two years being a club option.

"I have thrived with everyone and very much enjoyed my stay in Esbjerg, but sometimes occurs in football opportunities where you can make a decision," Friberg said in a club release, according to Google translate. "Should we have the chance for another foreign adventure, before the oldest of the children reach school age, it must be now."

This all serves to add evidence to Sounder at Heart's report from last week that Friberg was set to join the Sounders and that an announcement could come as soon as today.

Friberg had just signed with Esbjerg about six months ago and appeared in 13 Danish Super Superliga games, logging 956 minutes and scoring a goal. That came on the heels of a relatively short stint in Serie A with Bologna, who was relegated during his half season there.

In returning to the Sounders, Friberg is likely hoping to rekindle some of the positive momentum he had started to build here. The Sounders enjoyed one of their best ever seasons while Friberg was making 34 appearances across all competitions for them in 2011. But Friberg left at the end of the season, due at least in part to the desire to have his daughter born in Sweden. Friberg also enjoyed two solid seasons with Malmo FF, scoring six goals, helping them to a Swedish league title and qualifying for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.