Sounders FC signs first player

The Seattle Sounders Football Club of the MLS signed French forward Sebastien LeToux to a multiyear contract, the expansion team announced Wednesday.

LeToux, 24, of Rennes, France, is the first player to sign with the Sounders, who begin play in 2009.

"I am very happy to be the first play to sign with Seattle Sounders FC," LeToux said at a news conference at Qwest Field, where the new team will play. "I'm very proud and happy.

"For me, it's a new thing."

The Sounders staff first saw LeToux at a combine workout held in conjunction with the 2006 MLS Cup.

"Sebastien is an outstanding young soccer player with loads of upside. He has tremendous physical capacity He is very good technically and tactically and has the potential to be a very effective MLS player," Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said. "Sebastien is also a great individual and has the kind of character that our fans will be proud of."

In 2007, LeToux's rookie season with the current Seattle Sounders of the lower level United Soccer Leagues, he led the team in scoring with 22 points and was the USL First Division MVP. He also scored five goals in the U.S. Open Cup, leading Seattle to two wins over MLS teams and into the semifinals.

LeToux will officially be added to the original roster of the Sounders when the MLS' official signing period begins in December.