SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC today announced that it has acquired Lamar Neagle from D.C. United in exchange for a 2018 Fourth Round MLS SuperDraft selection. This marks Neagle’s fourth separate stint with the Rave Green, with the Federal Way native previously playing for Seattle in 2009, 2011 and 2013-2015. The 30-year-old attacking player has played both midfielder and forward throughout his career, registering 38 goals and 25 assists in 192 MLS appearances.
“We are very pleased to welcome Lamar back to Seattle as we hit the home-stretch of the 2017 season,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “He’s a good, veteran player with an extensive history with our club, and he gives us another solid option in the attack going forward.”
Neagle, 30, is fourth in Sounders FC history with 26 goals scored (trailing only Fredy Montero, Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins) in 116 MLS appearances with the club, including a career-high nine goals and nine assists in Seattle’s 2014 Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign. The Federal Way-native was also named the 2013 Sounders FC Humanitarian of the Year.
“Lamar has been a very good player for us in the past and has contributed a lot to this club, on and off the field,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “On top of that, he is a great character guy with a longstanding connection to this community. We’re very pleased to bring him home.”
Following a standout collegiate career at UNLV, Neagle joined the professional ranks with Sounders FC in 2009 (only appearing in international friendlies) before joining the Charleston Battery of the USL second division in 2010, where he won USL-2 Golden Boot and MVP honors. After a short stint with Norwegian club IFK Mariehamn, he re-joined the Rave Green in 2011, starting nine of his 23 appearances and scoring five goals before being traded to the Montreal Impact with Mike Fucito in 2012, in exchange for Eddie Johnson. He re-joined Seattle in 2013, scoring 21 goals and adding 15 assists in three seasons before moving on to D.C. United prior to the 2016 campaign. In two seasons with United, Neagle recorded 10 goals and six assists in 53 regular-season appearances.
“Lamar is a player who has produced for us in the past and can contribute at multiple positions,” said Sounders FC Vice President of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “It’s always nice to welcome back a former Sounder, especially a local product that has such a positive history with the club.”
Prior to his time at UNLV, where he was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection, Neagle was a three-year starter for Federal Way’s Thomas Jefferson High School. He led the team to state championship in 2005, playing for former Sounders FC Academy Director and current Sounders U-23 Head Coach Darren Sawatzky.
After a 4-0 road win over Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Sounders FC returns home for a matchup with Western Conference-leading Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, August 12 (1:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, ROOT SPORTS, Univision-Seattle, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC acquires midfielder / forward Lamar Neagle via trade from D.C. United in exchange for 2018 Fourth Round MLS SuperDraft selection.
Name:
Lamar Neagle
Position:
Midfielder / Forward
Height:
5-11
Weight:
165
Born:
May 7, 1987 in Tacoma, Washington
Hometown:
Federal Way, Washington
Citizenship:
United States
College:
UNLV
Acquired:
Acquired via trade from D.C. United in exchange for 2018 Fourth Round MLS SuperDraft selection
Previous Experience:
D.C. United (2016-2017), Seattle Sounders FC (2009, 2011, 2013-2015), Montreal Impact (2012), IFK Mariehamn (2010-11), Charleston Battery (2010)
