SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed defender Jonathan Bell to a contract for the 2024 season with a team option for 2025. Bell joins Seattle after one season with St. Louis CITY SC and three seasons with the New England Revolution, tallying 34 appearances (24 starts) across all competitions for both squads. Seattle and Bell agreed to a contract after the Rave Green selected him in Stage One of the 2023 Re-Entry process on December 14.
“We are excited to welcome Jonathan Bell to Seattle,” said Sounders FC General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “We selected him in the Re-Entry process because we’ve liked his play from afar for several years. He is a promising player that gives us some additional options on defense, which will be valuable over our long season.”
Bell, 26, was San Jose’s 38th overall selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft following a collegiate career at University of Maryland Baltimore County. Bell played for New England Revolution II in 2020 before signing a First Team contract prior to the 2021 season. The Jamaican international started 19 of 27 appearances over two seasons with the Revs, helping the club win the 2021 Supporters’ Shield. He appeared in five matches across all competitions for St. Louis in 2023, in addition to four appearances in MLS NEXT Pro action.
“Jonathan is a good young player who gives us even more depth and versatility in the back,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “I look forward to the start of preseason and seeing him work with our strong, veteran defensive unit.”
Sounders FC finished the 2023 regular season second in the Western Conference with 53 points (14-9-11), advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals before falling 1-0 to LAFC. The club is currently in the middle of preseason preparations for the 2024 season, which kicks off against LAFC on Saturday, February 24 at BMO Stadium (1:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FOX, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs defender Jonathan Bell to a contract for the 2024 season with a team option for 2025 on January 12, 2024. Seattle selected Bell in Stage One of the 2023 Re-Entry process on December 14, 2023.
Name: Jonathan Bell
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 183
Born: August 26, 1997, in Rockville, Maryland
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Citizenship: Jamaica
Acquired: Signed on January 12, 2024
Previous Clubs: St. Louis CITY SC (2023), New England Revolution (2021-2022), New England Revolution II (2020)
