Minnesota United have signed U.S. international midfielder Josh Gatt, the club announced on Wednesday.
Gatt, who last played for Molde in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, is the sixth player to join the MLS expansion franchise from Scandinavia since sporting director Manny Lagos' scouting trip in September.
"Josh has been on the American soccer radar for years," Lagos said. "He's a young player, who left for Europe to build his career. He's had some really good moments, and a couple of tough injuries.
"But I think this situation lines up perfectly, in regards to where Josh is as a player, and what we're doing as a club."
Gatt, 25, has battled knee problems since making his U.S. debut in 2012.
���� Here We Go ����#MNUFC signs #USMNT winger @JoshuaGatt.
Press Release » https://t.co/53zSfHIlRz pic.twitter.com/OgzLdUbiaZ
- Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 15, 2017
He has never played in MLS, instead starting his career in Austria before moving to Molde in 2011.
"I've played my whole career as a pro in Europe," the Michigan native said. "To come back home, it's a nice revamp. It's nice to be able to do what I love in a setting I've grown up in.
"Playing overseas is different in every way. Playing here, there's a simplicity to it. Knowing what I know about the states: language, culture, geography ... It's not hard to adapt."
A self-proclaimed "fast" player, Gatt will bring much-needed pace down the flanks for coach Adrian Heath's side.
"The main thing is that he brings us some excellent pace in wide areas," Heath said. "I think he's little bit different than what we already have at the club.
"He's going to be another body in there that can get wide and behind them. It gives us another alternative."
