Sounders FC shored up its back-line via a draft day trade on Thursday, swapping the 15th overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft and allocation money with the Chicago Fire for left back Joevin Jones.
Per league and club policy, details of the allocation money involved in the deal were not disclosed.
Jones, 24, comes to the Sounders after a solid debut season in MLS last year with the Fire, where he locked down the left side of the defense. Jones appeared in 28 games for Chicago (26 starts) and will likely become an immediate starting option in that spot for the Sounders when preseason camp opens later this month.
“We are excited to add a player of Joevin’s caliber to our roster,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Making our roster younger and faster has been a priority for the club this offseason, and acquiring a player like Joevin fits that bill.”
Originally from Carenage, Trinidad & Tobago, Jones came to MLS after four seasons with Trinidad club W Connection. He also appeared in six games on loan with Finnish side HJK Helsinki in 2014.
Jones made his senior debut for Trinidad & Tobago in Sept. 2010 and has earned 37 international caps. He appeared in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2015 and 2013, and most recently started and logged 90 minutes in each of the team’s World Cup qualifying matches in November.
“Joevin is a player with speed and versatility that can come in and help our team,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He played well for Chicago this past season and we look forward to seeing what he brings to our roster.”
The Sounders leaned heavily on youngster Oniel Fisher at left back down the stretch last season, with the Jamaican rookie appearing in 12 games during the regular season and two more in the postseason.
Dylan Remick also appeared in 19 games at left back before Fisher took over during the final third of the season.