The Seattle Sounders signed South Korean centerback Kim Kee-hee from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua.
The club announced the acquisition Tuesday, using Targeted Allocation Money to bring in the 28-year-old defender. Kim bolsters the Sounders’ depth at that position ahead of their season opener Sunday against expansion side Los Angeles FC.
The news broke when Kim tweeted a photo himself wearing a Sounders jersey bearing the number 20.
https://twitter.com/kihee4/status/968620425444933633
“We’re excited to add Kim to our roster,” Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said in a club statement. “He brings solid experience from some top-flight leagues and international tournaments and gives us more depth at a vital position. We’ve been fortunate that our international signings over the past few seasons have improved our team and we’re looking forward to continuing that trend with Kim.”
The six-foot-one defender joined Shanghai Shenhua in 2016 from K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for a reported fee of $6 million. There, he made 45 appearances—all as a starter—as he joined former Sounders striker Obafemi Martins and won the 2017 Chinese FA Cup.
Kim’s departure was likely caused by tightened restrictions on the use of foreign players. The Chinese FA implemented a rule in 2017 that no more than three foreign players can play in any match. Since then, Chinese clubs looking to offload expensive foreign talent have sent players such as Fredy Montero and Gustav Svensson to Vancouver and Seattle, respectively.
Internationally, Kim has represented South Korea 23 times. He helped the under-23 national team win a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. It was the first olympic medal for soccer in his country’s history. Kim likely will be called up for the Reds when the World Cup rolls around in June.
“Kim is a strong, experienced player who we believe will be a good addition to our defense,” Sounders FC coach Brian Schmetzer said. “His signing gives us very good options at center back going forward, and I’m excited to see how he integrates to the squad.”