Sounders re-sign defenders Hurtado and Ianni

The club has decided to retain the services of two of its trusty backliners ahead of the 2013 season.

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has re-signed defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

"We are very excited about bringing back Patrick and Jhon again next season," said Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "Both players have been with us since the start and it was important for us to keep continuity and consistency along a successful back line."

Hurtado, 28, joined Sounders FC in 2009 from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali. A MLS All-Star and finalist for MLS Defender of the Year in his first season, Hurtado has become one of the league’s top center backs and has helped establish the Seattle defense as one of the best in MLS. Despite missing much of the 2010 season due to injury, Hurtado has started 106 of 110 appearances across all competitions with one goal and three assists. His 81 appearances in regular-season play ranks sixth all-time in club history.

Ianni, 27, has played the past four seasons in Seattle after he was acquired in a trade with the Houston Dynamo in 2009. Ianni made 21 appearances across all competitions in 2012, and his 74 league appearances for Sounders FC ranks eighth in club history. The UCLA product and No. 8 overall pick in the 2006 SuperDraft scored the 2012 MLS Goal of the Year on a side-winding volley against Sporting Kansas City. Overall, Ianni has started 83 of 98 appearances across all competitions for Seattle.