FC Cincinnati have acquired defender Tom Pettersson (pronounced PETT-er-sun) on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract. The center back has served as captain of Swedish top-division side Östersunds FK dating back to last season.

Pettersson, 29, will occupy an international roster spot and will be added to FC Cincinnati’s 2020 MLS roster when the Primary Transfer Window opens on Feb. 12 upon the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

He has made a combined 188 appearances in the top divisions of Sweden and Belgium as well as a combined eight UEFA Europa League appearances in his last seven professional seasons (2012-19). In the recently concluded 2019 Allsvenskan campaign, Pettersson made 23 appearances, including 22 starts, while scoring one goal with Östersunds FK.

“Tom is an experienced left-footed center back that we are pleased to add to our roster,” FC Cincinnati General Manager Gerard Nijkamp said. “His strength in building possession out from the back will be an asset to our style of play. We are happy to welcome Tom to Cincinnati as we continue to build our 2020 roster and prepare for the upcoming season.”

Pettersson’s professional career began in 2007 when he signed for hometown side, then-second division FC Trollhättan. Pettersson went on to make 107 appearances across all competitions for Trollhättan from 2007-11. Following the conclusion of the 2011 campaign, Pettersson joined Allsvenskan club Åtvidabergs FF. The center back made 55 appearances, while scoring seven goals and adding four assists across all competitions from 2012-14.

Pettersson joined a club outside of Sweden for the first time when he was loaned to Belgian top-tier side Oud-Heverlee Leuven for the 2013-14 Belgian First Division A season. While on loan, Pettersson made 24 appearances while scoring three goals across all competitions.

Following the conclusion of the 2014 Allsvenskan season, Pettersson joined IFK Göteborg, where he made 27 appearances, while scoring one goal and adding one assist in one season.

Pettersson then joined Östersunds FK where he played for each of the last three seasons. The center back made 101 appearances, while scoring six goals across all competitions. In addition, he competed in the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League after Östersunds finished in a club-record best fifth place just two seasons after receiving promotion from the second-tier Superettan.

FC Cincinnati will return to the field in early 2020 for their second MLS season. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2020 season are now on sale to the general public at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK). A 2020 Season Ticket Membership also secures fans’ place on the club’s priority list, which will be utilized when sales begin in the new West End Stadium for the 2021 season.

For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati.

Transaction: FC Cincinnati acquired defender Tom Pettersson on a free transfer on Dec. 16, 2019.

TOM PETTERSSON

Pronunciation: PET-err-sun

Position: Defender

Height: 6-3

Weight: 183

Birthdate: March 25, 1990

Birthplace: Trollhättan, Sweden

Hometown: Trollhättan, Sweden

Last Club: Ostersunds FK (SWE)

Nationality: Sweden

MLS Roster Status: International

Twitter: @TomPettersson

How Acquired: On a free transfer on Dec. 17, 2019.