Trinidad & Tobago international Joevin Jones (pictured) was acquired by the Seattle Sounders on January 14, 2016. (Photo: Caribbean Action Images)
SEATTLE, Washington - Seattle Sounders FC announced Thursday the acquisition of Trinidad & Tobago international Joevin Jones from the Chicago Fire in exchange for the 15th selection in that day's Major League Soccer SuperDraft and financial considerations.
The 24-year-old defender made 28 appearances and scored one goal in his first MLS campaign last year.
"We are excited to add a player of Joevin's caliber to our roster," said Sounders FC general manager and 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."
Jones signed with Chicago prior to the 2015 season following a five-year career in Trinidad & Tobago and Finland. He made his professional debut in 2009 at 17-years-old with W Connection, helping the club to a pair of TT Pro League titles (2011, 2013) and scoring 26 goals. His 14 tallies in 2013 ranked second in the league. He was loaned to HJK Helsinki of the Finnish top division in 2014, making six appearances.
"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."
Since making his international debut with Trinidad & Tobago on September 7, 2010, Jones has been a consistent presence for the Soca Warriors, logging 37 career appearances. In 2012, he helped his country earn qualification to its first CONCACAF Gold Cup in six years after finishing second in the Caribbean Cup. He recorded his first career international goal in a 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup game against Guatemala.
The Sounders will face defending champion Club America in the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, hosting the first leg on February 23. Jones has one career goal in the competition, netting in a 3-2 loss at Guatemala’s Xelaju on September 18, 2012.
