Originally published Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Sounders FC ready to sign Freddie Ljungberg

Seattle Sounders FC is set to announce the signing of Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as its designated player early next week, according to a report in a Swedish newspaper.

By José Miguel Romero

Seattle Times staff reporter

RENTON — Seattle Sounders FC is poised to sign Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as its designated player, according to a report that was to run in Sweden's Expressen newspaper Saturday.

Ljungberg, 31, was recently in Seattle to meet with Sounders FC officials, a reporter with the newspaper said, then departed and is now scheduled to return to Seattle.

That coincides with a major announcement the team is expected to make early next week.

Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer declined to comment and the team would not confirm the report. Rumors of the club's interest in Ljungberg have swirled for several weeks.

Ljungberg most recently played for West Ham United of the English Premier League, where he spent the 2007-08 season. He then reached an agreement with West Ham to terminate his four-year contract after one season.

Before last season, Ljungberg spent nine years with Arsenal, where he scored 46 goals in 216 regular-season appearances. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound native of Vittsjo, Sweden, was voted one of Arsenal's 50 greatest players in franchise history. He's a two-time winner of Sweden's top soccer player of the year award and has been on two of Sweden's World Cup teams.

Injuries have affected his production in recent years, and Ljungberg retired from international competition, which makes him a good fit with Sounders FC because he wouldn't be leaving the team in midseason for Swedish national-team games.

Ljungberg has previously been known for his unique hairstyles and being a model for Calvin Klein.

Ljungberg would join goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder Sanna Nyassi and forward Sebastien Le Toux as the first four players on the Sounders FC roster for the inaugural season, which begins in March 2009.The Major League Soccer expansion draft is Nov. 26, when Sounders FC can choose players unprotected by other MLS clubs.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com

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