TUKWILA — Sounders FC signed Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Fernandez as the team's third designated player Thursday.

Fernandez, 24, had been rumored to join Seattle after numerous reports in South America indicated he would join Major League Soccer. He will be added to the active roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

Nicknamed "El Flaco," Fernandez played four games for the Uruguayan national team in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He most recently played for Chilean club Universidad on loan from Nacional of Uruguay.

"I'm very excited to be playing in the U.S. because the football has grown a lot in the last few years and keeps getting better," Fernandez said in a release from the team.

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid called the 6-foot-1 Fernandez a "versatile player who can play in a number of midfield positions" in the release. "He brings good energy to the game as well as World Cup experience. He can score and ...

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