SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade via transfer from Unión de Sante Fe. The 27-year-old comes to Seattle after eight professional seasons in Argentina, most recently with Unión de Sante Fe since 2017. Gómez Andrade is being added to Sounders FC's roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate and will occupy an international roster slot. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used in the acquisition, making Gómez Andrade the 14th Sounders FC First Team player that has been added or extended using TAM.
“We are excited to announce the signing of Yeimar, who brings a wealth of athleticism and experience to a position of need for us,” said General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Combined with João Paulo, we’ve now added a pair of key offseason pieces that puts our roster in a good spot as the season approaches.”
Photo by Daniel Jayo/LatinContent via Getty Images
“I had the chance to scout Yeimar a couple of times in Argentina for Unión de Santa Fe and he had dominant performances at central defender,” said VP of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He reads the game well and is a strong one on one defender. He anticipates and intercepts balls in transition from defense to attack and is very fast. We are excited to see him in a Sounders FC jersey marking attacking players out of the game.”
Gómez Andrade, 27, spent the last three seasons with Unión de Sante Fe of the Argentine Primera División, starting all 64 of his league appearances and tallying five goals. In all, the center back spent eight professional seasons in Argentina for Unión, Independiente Rivadavia, Rosario Central, Arsenal de Sarandi and Tiro Federal, totaling 156 appearances across all competitions. Last season, Gómez Andrade played in Unión’s two Copa Sudamericana matches against Ecuadoran club Independiente del Valle.
“We are pleased to add a strong, experienced defender to the club. Yeimar fits the profile we were looking for and we have confidence that he can make a positive impact us,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “We look forward to having him join us for our preseason preparations and seeing how he fits with our squad.”
Sounders FC Sounders FC's roster sits at 22 players, including three goalkeepers, six defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards. The Rave Green are set to face Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday, February 5 for a closed-door friendly at CenturyLink Field, before heading down to Mexico City on Thursday, February 6 for a second out-of-town preseason camp. The club then proceeds to Honduras for Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League play against CD Olimpia on February 20.
TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC signs defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade via transfer from Unión de Sante Fe using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on February 5, 2020.
Name: Yeimar Gómez Andrade
Pronunciation: Yay-mar an-drah-day
Position: Defender
Jersey Number: 28
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200
Born: June 30, 1992 in Tadó, Colombia
Hometown: Tadó, Colombia
Citizenship: Colombia
Acquired: Signed by Sounders FC via transfer from Unión de Sante Fe using Targeted Allocation Money on February 5, 2020
