Sounders FC Signs Argentine Midfielder Mauro Rosales

Rosales has been capped 10 times (one goal) by Argentina and was a member of the gold-medal winning team at the 2004 Olympic Games.

RENTON , WASH. –Seattle Sounders FC have signed Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Rosales, 30, has been capped 10 times (one goal) by Argentina and was a member of the gold-medal winning team at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2001 FIFA U20 World Cup and the 2004 Copa America runners-up. He played the past four years for Buenos Aires giants River Plate.

“Mauro brings a lot of experience to our team,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach. “He’s a playmaking type of midfielder with good quickness and clever passing. We’re excited to have him join our team.”

Rosales scored 39 goals in 234 league matches for Newell’s Old Boys, Ajax and River Plate.

“I am very excited to start playing for the Sounders,” said Rosales. “This is a great opportunity, to play in this league and for one of the biggest teams in the USA. I’m especially happy to be joining such fantastic players and staff and such a great organization.”

Rosales has played nearly 400 matches over all competitions in South America and Europe. He was a member of two Ajax teams which twice won the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup. Rosales played for River Plate when Los Millonarios claimed the 2008 Argentine Clausura.

He joined Sounders FC in late February during the club’s preseason training in Florida.

Sounders FC plays the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed MF Mauro Rosales

Mauro Rosales
Position: Midfielder
Jersey Number: 10
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Birthdate: 2/24/1981
Place of Birth: Villa Maria, Cordoba, Argentina
Hometown (Citizenship): Villa Maria, Cordoba, Argentina (Argentina)
Pronunciation: MOU-ro Roh-SAH-les
Last Club: River Plate (2007-10)
Previous Clubs (chronological): Newell’s Old Boys (1999-04), Ajax (2004-07)