The Houston Dynamo on Thursday added another piece for the future by signing Swedish defender Adam Lundqvist on a full transfer using Targeted Allocation Money.
Lundqvist, 24, has played with IF Elfsborg since he was 18 years old and has appeared in 109 games in the Allsvenskan – Sweden’s top division.
He has represented the Swedish national team at four youth levels and has two caps with the senior national team. He also represented Sweden at the 2016 Olympics, where he started all three group stage games.
Lundqvist is the likely successor at left back to 35-year-old DaMarcus Beasley, who signed a one-year deal before this season.
“We are excited to have Adam join the Dynamo because he is a very promising left back,” Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera said in a statement released by the club. “He is excited to come and accept the new challenge of playing for the Houston Dynamo and competing in MLS.”
Adding Lundqvist helps the Dynamo in the short term and long term.
Reserve left back Dylan Remick continues to work his way back from a concussion he first suffered in the preseason. Remick has a history of concussions, and it is unknown how long it may take him to fully recover.
The addition of Lundqvist gives the Dynamo nine international players for eight international roster spots. When the Dynamo receive Lundqvists’ ITC and visa, they will have to make a roster move to remain compliant with MLS roster rules.
That could mean loaning one of their international players to USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC.
Lundqvist is the Dynamo’s second player acquisition this week. On Monday they announced the arrival of midfielder Luis Gil on loan from Querétaro FC.
To do so, they had to acquire his rights within MLS. They did that by trading a fourth-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and future considerations to Real Salt Lake.
Gil, a California native, appeared in 155 games with Real Salt Lake, Orlando City SC and the Colorado Rapids during seven MLS seasons. He played for United States Soccer at several youth levels before making his senior team debut against South Korea in 2014.
He played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009. The team was coached by Cabrera.
“We are happy to bring Luis in because he’s an outstanding player, a U.S. men’s national team caliber player,” Cabrera said in a team release. “He’s young. He has a lot of ability, and he’s confident. Now his teammates and our club must help him to feel comfortable and happy to perform and to display the tools and the game that he has.”
Dynamo Charities Cup
The Dynamo will face Liga MX club Monterrey in the annual Dynamo Charities Cup match on June 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CDT. Tickets go on sale to the general public Monday at 10 a.m. CDT with individual prices starting at $34.
Tickets will be available online at HoustonDynamo.com, by phone at 713-276-GOAL or at the BBVA Compass Stadium box office.