Seattle Sounders sign Paraguayan star Nelson Haedo Valdez

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/07/seattle-sounders-paraguayan-star-nelson-haedo-valdez

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The Seattle Sounders have strengthed their attack with the signing of Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez. The 31-year-old joins fellow designated players Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins in Seattle’s attack.

Seattle announced Valdez’s signing on Friday. The 31-year-old had last been playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga.

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Sounders GM Garth Lagerwey said: “It’s exciting to add a player of Nelson’s pedigree. His addition allows us to vary our attack and makes us even more potent up front. It can’t be overstated how important a player with this type of experience can be for our team.

“Nelson has played in some of the world’s top competitions, including two World Cups and two Copa America tournaments, and he’s a welcome addition to our roster.”

Valdez is a veteran of two World Cups and two Copa America tournaments with the Paraguay national team. He played 15 seasons in Europe, including stints with three clubs in Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund.

Valdez also had stints with Hercules, Rubin Kazan, Valencia, Al Jazira and Olympiacos in various leagues. In Seattle he will reunite with Martins, after the pair played together at Rubin Kazan.

Seattle cleared space to make Valdez a designated player by using targeted allocation money on midfielder Osvaldo Alonso to lower his salary budget charge.