SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed midfielder Josh Atencio to a new four-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. The Sounders FC Academy and Tacoma Defiance product originally signed with the First Team as a Homegrown Player in 2020 and has since made 82 appearances for the Rave Green in all competitions, scoring his first goal last season.
“We are excited to have Josh continue his playing career here in Seattle,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “He has earned this contract with his play over the years, and we think he has a bright future ahead of him. I look forward to seeing Josh continue to grow and develop as a professional.”
Atencio, 21, has made 69 regular-season appearances (36 starts) since signing in 2020. He became a mainstay in the starting lineup at the end of the 2023 season, starting all four of Seattle’s postseason matches to conclude the year. The midfielder scored his first goal for Seattle on April 8, 2023, a scorching strike from outside the area against St. Louis CITY SC. Atencio also started in the club’s historic 2023 FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Ahly in February of last year.
“I am pleased to have Josh remain with the Seattle Sounders for the foreseeable future,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He is a talented player young player that has steadily improved over his time with the club, on top of being a good professional off the field. We all look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a pro and help us win games for years to come.”
The Bellevue native joined Sounders FC Academy in 2016, later signing a professional contract with Tacoma Defiance in 2019. He started 26 of 29 appearances for Defiance over three seasons (two as an Academy player), recording two goals and one assist before signing a First Team contract. Atencio was part of the Sounders FC Academy U-17 squad that won the 2017-2018 USSDA National Championship. On the international stage, Atencio was recently called up the United Stated Men’s National Team for a camp in Orlando and friendly against Slovenia on January 20. He has also been capped by the U.S. U-15 and U-17 Youth National Teams.
“Being able to continue to play as a member of the Rave Green is a dream come true,” said Atencio. “I know I have so much more to give this club and I can’t wait to continue to create winning memories for my hometown team.”
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 Field (1:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, FOX, iHeartMedia Seattle, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs midfielder Josh Atencio to a new contract through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028 on January 11, 2024.
Name: Josh Atencio
Position: Midfielder
Number: 84
Height: 6-1
Weight: 174
Born: January 21, 2002, in Bellevue, Washington
Hometown: Bellevue, Washington
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed with Sounders FC on June 15, 2020; Signed with Tacoma Defiance on January 22, 2019
Previous Clubs: Tacoma Defiance (2019-2020)
