Minnesota United has picked up former Seattle Sounders captain Osvaldo Alonso off waivers, the club confirmed on Thursday.
In order to claim the 33-year-old, the Loons traded the fourth spot in Major League Soccer's waiver order as well as a second-round pick in the 2020 SuperDraft to Orlando City in exchange for the top spot in the waiver order and a pair of fourth-round picks in Friday's draft.
"We are bringing in one of the best, most competitive and tenacious defensive midfielders in the league," Minnesota manager Adrian Heath said in a statement. "The first thing we heard when speaking with players, front office staff and coaches about Ozzie was that he is a leader, he won't accept losing.
well now... #MNUFC acquires midfielder @OzzieAlonso off waivers. pic.twitter.com/98ZW5SY0DU
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) January 10, 2019
"As we move into Allianz Field, we know we need to be better and we are bringing in a player that can help us achieve our goals on the field and someone who can help develop a mentality with our players in the locker room."
The 33-year-old had spent the past 10 years in Seattle, where he lifted the U.S. Open Cup on four occasions and led the Sounders to an MLS Cup triumph in 2016. He was also named an MLS All-Star in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Alonso will anchor a Minnesota midfield that's undergone an extensive makeover after a disappointing 2018. The Loons struggled to shield their back four last season, a campaign in which they conceded 71 goals, and responded by signing Copenhagen midfielder and Slovakia international Jan Gregus to a designated player contract, and now Alonso.
