Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (left) leaps in as Danny Califf (right) battles with Montreal Impact's Hassoum Camara (centre) during second half Canadian Championship qualifying action in Toronto on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Toronto FC have traded the rights to Frei to the Seattle Sounders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
December 10, 2013 - 10:48 AM
TORONTO - Toronto FC have traded the rights to goalkeeper Stefan Frei to the Seattle Sounders.
Frei, who saw virtually no action for Toronto the last two seasons due to injury and the fine play of Joe Bendik, was out of contract after this season. But Toronto retained his rights though Thursday's first stage of the MLS re-entry process.
Frei, 27, was Toronto’s longest-serving player and is the club's all-time leader in appearances across all competitions (99). He has a 1.54 goals-against average in 82 regular-season starts.
"Stefan is a goalkeeper we have liked for a number of years," Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement Tuesday. "He is a quality professional who brings experience and leadership to the position. Adding Stefan at this point of his career was very attractive to us."
Toronto receives a conditional 2015 first-round MLS SuperDraft pick from Seattle.
The Sounders currently have 41-year-old Marcus Hahnemann and 26-year-old Josh Ford as goalies on their roster.
The Swiss-born Frei, who made US$200,000 this season, was Toronto's longest-serving player and is the club's all-time leader in appearances across all competitions (99). He has a 1.54 goals-against average in 82 regular-season starts.
"Parting with a player of Stefan's calibre and character is always difficult, but as we move forward with our re-shaping of the club, it is important that we have increased flexibility to make additional moves. This trade provides us with that flexibility," said Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko. "Stefan is a great player and an even better person who will always hold a special place in the club’s history. We wish him all the best as he moves on to the next stage of his career."
It is Toronto's second move in as many days.
On Monday, the team acquired Brazilian midfielder Jackson from FC Dallas in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in the 2015 draft and allocation money.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013