“It’s amazing,” was Lamar Neagle’s reaction to his return to Seattle after Sounders FC re-acquired him from the Montreal Impact.
The club gave an international roster spot through the end of the 2014 season in return.
“It’s going to be nice to be able to see my family and be around my little sisters and everything like that. It’s definitely a perk of being back in Seattle. The past few years have been crazy.
It gets tiring after a while traveling so much and moving and switching teams. I’ve only been a pro for four years and I think this is like the sixth time I’ve been on a new team. It’s pretty crazy but hopefully I can settle down in one city and there’s no better city for me to do it than Seattle.”
A Federal Way native, Neagle, 25, is joining Sounders FC for the third time following successful stints with the club in 2009 and 2011.
Neagle spent the 2012 MLS season with the expansion Montreal Impact after he was traded by Seattle along with Mike Fucito to Montreal in exchange for forward Eddie Johnson.
Neagle scored two goals with two assists in 23 appearances last season.
“We are very excited about bringing Lamar back to Seattle,” said Sporting Director Chris Henderson.
Fans were always sorry to see Neagle pay the price for the club’s desire to take a risk on Eddie Johnson. That gamble proved smart as, after an initial turbulent period, Jonson ran up the numbers mostly through some crucial headed goals.
Henderson continued:
“He is an attacking midfielder who plays smart and adds versatility to our club. Lamar scored a few key goals for us in the past while being a very consistent player. He is a great teammate and positive presence in the locker room.”
Neagle initially joined Sounders FC on June 10, 2009, before earning Golden Boot and MVP honors in USL-2 for the Charleston Battery in 2010. Following the 2010 season, Neagle was signed by Finland’s IFK Mariehamn, where he played in five leagues matches, scoring two goals.
He then signed with Seattle as a free agent on March 2, 2011, and scored a career-high five goals with two assists in 23 appearances. During the 2011 MLS season, Neagle became the second player in club history to net a hat trick.
“It’s amazing to come home and rejoin the Sounders,” added Neagle.
“The fans have had so much support for me throughout my career and Sigi was the first coach to give me a chance. It’ll be fun for me to connect back with the guys and get to work. I’m looking forward to having a strong season.”
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January 28, 2013 at 8:05 pm
While most will welcome Neagle back to the team as they did not want to see him go, I don’t think this is the big DP signing everyone is waiting and hoping for !!!!
February 1, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Hat trick — you’ve outdone yourself with your comment. Neagle and DP go together like chalk and cheese – they don’t.
He’s a solid squad player and provides attacking width/depth to the team. Shelve Johansson and Tiffert; take Rosales DP status away and it may open a few more avenues,
Could Evans play right back, as he does in the USMNT set-up? I’d like to see it. I feel Johansson is limited.