SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has re-signed forward Fredy Montero to a one-year deal for the 2023 season. The club’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Montero returns to Seattle after tallying eight goals across all competitions in 2022. This marks the Colombian’s seventh overall season with the Rave Green (2009-2012, 2021-present), where he has tallied 76 goals and 51 assists across all competitions.
“Fredy continues to prove he is a valuable player for our team, both on and off the field,” said General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “On top of being a fan favorite, Fredy is a reliable goal-scorer, as demonstrated in his decorated career around the world. We welcome his skill, experience and veteran leadership in 2023.”
Montero, 35, originally joined Sounders FC during its inaugural season in 2009 and immediately established himself as a scoring threat, tallying 12 goals across all competitions in his first year with the club. He notably scored in the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, winning the first major trophy for the Rave Green in their first year in MLS. He led Seattle in scoring each year from 2009-2011 and recorded double-digit goal totals in each of his four seasons in Seattle. After an eight-year absence that saw the forward play in Columbia, Portugal, China and Vancouver, he returned to Sounders FC prior to the 2021 campaign, where he has added 16 goals to his franchise-record total. Montero scored three goals during Seattle’s title-winning 2022 Concacaf Champions League tournament run while filling in for injured starting striker Raúl Ruidíaz. In addition to his club-record 76 goals across all competitions for Seattle, he also ranks second in club history with 51 assists.
“Over the years, Fredy has brought Sounders fans a lot of great memories, and we are very happy to have him back,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He is a dynamic player with a noticeable presence whenever he is on the pitch. As a coach, you want players that can score goals, so I’m pleased to have this piece in our attack next season.”
Following his first stint with Sounders FC from 2009-2012, Montero went on a pair of loan spells with Colombia’s Millonarios and Portugal’s Sporting CP, the latter of which he joined on a permanent transfer in January of 2014. Montero scored 27 goals across three seasons in Portugal before moving to Chinese club Tianjin Tigers FC, where he tallied nine goals in the 2016 campaign. After a 13-goal, six-assist season while on loan with Vancouver in 2017, Montero played one more season with Sporting CP in 2018 before returning to Whitecaps FC for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Prior to joining MLS in 2009, Montero began his professional career in 2005 with Deportivo Cali. He finished as the Colombian topflight’s leading goal-scorer in 2006 with 13 goals while on loan with Atlético Huila, as well as in 2008 with 16 goals for Cali. The Barranquilla native has four caps for the Colombian National Team.
Sounders FC’s roster currently sits at 27 players as the club continues its offseason preparations for the 2023 campaign, which starts with the FIFA Club World Cup in February.
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs forward Fredy Montero to a one-year contract for 2023 on December 14, 2022.
Full Name: Fredy Montero
Position: Forward
Number: 12
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia
Date of Birth: July 26, 1987 in Campo de la Cruz, Colombia
Nationality: Colombia
Acquired: Re-signed on December 14, 2022
Previous Clubs: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2017, 2019-2020), Sporting CP (2013-2016, 2018-2019), Tianjin Tigers FC (2016), Millonarios (2013), Seattle Sounders FC (2009-2012), Deportivo Cali (2005-2010), Academia (2005), Atlético Huila (2006-2007)
