SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC today announced the signing of midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem. The 27-year-old Norwegian international comes to Seattle after nine professional seasons in Europe and four topflight league titles, including Allsvenskan championships the last two campaigns with Swedish side Malmö FF. Eikrem is being added to Sounders FC's roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used to acquire Eikrem, making him the fourth Sounders FC player to be added to the First Team roster using TAM.
“We are happy to sign a player like Magnus with extensive European topflight experience and a history of winning trophies,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “He is the type of player we like to target with these TAM-level signings and we look forward to what he brings to our locker room, in addition to giving us another skilled, versatile option in the midfield.”
Also known by his middle name Wolff, Eikrem began his professional career in 2011 with Molde FK of the Norwegian first division, where he recorded 68 league appearances and six goals in three seasons, leading his hometown side to its first two Eliteserien championships in 2011 and 2012. He transferred to SC Heerenveen of the Dutch Eredivisie for one season before playing two seasons for Cardiff City, where he made six English Premier League appearances in the 2014-2015 campaign. Eikrem then moved to Malmö in 2015, where he scored a career-high seven goals in 28 league appearances in his first season before capturing a pair of Allsvenskan titles in 2016 and 2017. He also started four of five appearances in Malmö’s runner-up run in the 2015-2016 Swedish Cup.
“Magnus is a smart soccer player that can play multiple positions throughout the midfield and create scoring opportunities in the final third,” said Sounders FC Vice President of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “We are also very happy to add an experienced player with a winning mentality to our roster.”
The midfielder has 17 caps for the Norwegian National Team, including six appearances in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, in addition to a number of call-ups to the Norway youth sides. The son of former longtime Norwegian pro Knut Hallvard Eikrem, the younger Eikrem signed with Manchester United as a youth and played for the English giant’s U-18 and reserve sides before returning to Molde to play at the senior team level.
“It is always good to add players with a championship mentality to our roster as we attempt to get back to MLS Cup this season,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “On top of that, healthy competition at every position is good for the team, and I look forward to getting Magnus into preseason camp and seeing how he fits with the squad.”
Eikrem becomes the fourth TAM-level signing on Sounders FC’s roster, joining Román Torres, Kelvin Leerdam and Víctor Rodríguez. Today’s signing brings Sounders FC’s current roster to 24 players as the club departs tomorrow for a week-long preseason training stint in Tucson, with games currently scheduled against the Portland Timbers (February 3) and Columbus Crew SC (February 4). Sounders FC’s tenth campaign as an MLS side begins on February 22 with the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, before the league campaign kicks off on March 4 at home against expansion side Los Angeles FC.
Sounders FC season tickets are still available, including new 2018 seating options in the 300 level, with full information available at SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL. For complete information, details and pricing on 2018 Sounders FC season tickets, fans should call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
Single-match tickets are available for all 17 MLS home matches and the club's Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League matchup on March 1 vs. Salvadoran side Santa Tecla FC. Seating for all games is subject to availability at time of purchase. Single-match tickets can be purchased via the following link: SoundersFC.com/Tickets/Single-Match-Tickets.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC signs midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem on January 30, 2018 using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
Name:
Magnus Wolff Eikrem
Position:
Midfielder
Height:
5-11
Weight:
155
Born:
August 8, 1990 in Molde, Norway
Hometown:
Molde, Norway
Citizenship:
Norway
Acquired:
Signed on January 30, 2018 using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM)
Previous Experience:
Malmö FF (2015-2017), Cardiff City (2013-2015), SC Heerenveen (2013-2014), Molde FK (2011-2013)
