SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has acquired defender Waylon Francis from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money. Francis, a 27-year-old fullback, has spent the last four seasons with Columbus after five seasons playing professionally in his home country of Costa Rica.

“We are pleased to bring a player of Waylon’s quality and experience to Seattle,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Waylon bolsters our already talented group of outside-backs, and his effectiveness in MLS over the past four seasons is well-known. Adding an All-Star level player to our current roster with this type of experience is invaluable, especially with Waylon’s familiarity with CONCACAF play in advance of our Champions League campaign in February.”

Francis joins Seattle after four seasons with Columbus, where he started 75 of 83 regular-season appearances from 2014-2017, recording 18 assists. The Costa Rican leftback recorded career highs with 28 appearances (all starts) and seven assists in 2015, earning an MLS All-Star selection before helping Crew SC to an MLS Cup appearance. Following 31 MLS regular-season appearances and five assists between 2016 and 2017, Francis’ option was declined by the Black & Gold following the 2017 season. During his time in central Ohio, Francis started all seven of his Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearances with Crew SC.

Prior to joining Columbus, Francis played five professional seasons in his home country of Costa Rica, including three with C.S. Herediano from 2011-2014. He has five career caps for the Costa Rica National Team and was named to the final 23-man roster ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, Sounders FC has re-signed goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, officially adding him to Seattle’s roster for the 2018 season. Meredith – who spent 2011 and 2012 with the Rave Green – returned to Sounders FC in 2017 after three seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes.

“We’re pleased to welcome Bryan back to the squad as a guy who has a long and positive relationship with this club,” said Sounders FC Vice President of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “After losing Tyler Miller in the Expansion Draft, keeping a hard-working, reliable and experienced player like Bryan gives us some much-needed quality and depth at the goalkeeper position for 2018.”

TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC acquires defender Waylon Francis via trade from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money.

Name: Waylon Francis

Position: Defender

Height: 5-9

Weight: 160

Born: September 20, 1990 in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica

Citizenship: Costa Rica

Pronunciation: WAY-lin

Acquired: Acquired via trade from Columbus for $50,000 General Allocation Money on December 14, 2017

Previous Experience: Columbus Crew SC (2014-2017); C.S. Herediano (2011-2014), Limón FC (2011-2012), Brujas FC (2010-2011)

TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC re-signs goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, who was previously out-of-contract with the club.

Name: Bryan Meredith

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6-2

Weight: 195

Born: August 2, 1989 in Scotch Plains, NJ

College: Monmouth

Citizenship: United States of America

Acquired: Re-signed on December 14, 2017

Previous Experience: San Jose Earthquakes (2014-2016); New York Cosmos (2013); IK Brage (2013); Sounders FC (2011-2012); Kitsap Pumas (2011); Central Jersey Spartans (2010).