Today Minnesota United announced the signing of 25-year-old winger Josh Gatt. After signing with SC Rheindorf Altach at 16, Gatt earned a reputation as an effective offensive weapon with Molde in Norway from 2011–16, including two league championships in 2011 and 2012. He made his international debut for the U.S. Men’s Team on November 14, 2012 in a friendly match against Russia. Gatt will join MNUFC for the 2017 season pending receipt of his ITC.

From 2010-16 with Molde and SC Rheindorf Altach, Gatt — a Michigan native — tallied 15 goals and 15 assists in 75 games. After battling back from a series of knee injuries, Gatt will look to embrace the challenge in MLS and make his mark with Minnesota United, a quality that the club has prized in players recruited to the team so far.

“Josh has been on the American soccer radar for years,” said Sporting Director Manny Lagos. “He’s a young player, who left for Europe to build his career. He’s had some really good moments, and a couple of tough injuries. But I think this situation lines up perfectly, in regards to where Josh is as a player, and what we’re doing as a club.”

Gatt describes his game on the pitch with just a few choice words.

“Fast,” said Gatt. “Aggressive. Attacking. Risky. When I was a kid, my coach always told my parents that I was a high risk, high reward type player. I’m not the type of person who will take it in my own box and try to go up the field alone. I’m a player who, if I see an opening, I’ll take it.”

After almost seven years in Europe, Gatt is looking forward to coming back to the U.S., and is certain he’ll feel right at home in Minnesota.

“I’ve played my whole career as a pro in Europe,” said Gatt. “To come back home, it’s a nice revamp. It’s nice to be able to do what I love in a setting I’ve grown up in. Playing overseas is different in every way. Playing here, there’s a simplicity to it. Knowing what I know about the states: language, culture, geography … It’s not hard to adapt.”

Gatt joins an already promising attacking midfield for Minnesota United that boasts young wingers Kevin Molino, Bashkim Kadrii, Johan Venegas and Miguel Ibarra, plus veterans like Ibson. Minnesota United will look to use Gatt to spread the attack out.

“The main thing is that he brings us some excellent pace in wide areas,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I think he’s little bit different than what we already have at the club. He’s going to be another body in there that can get wide and behind them. It gives us another alternative.”

Minnesota United makes its home MLS debut on March 12 at TCF Bank Stadium against fellow expansion side Atlanta United. Fans who want to be there for every home match can join the Itasca Society. Over 10,000 season tickets have already been sold, rapidly approaching the inaugural season limit of 11,842 members in this exclusive club — one for every lake in Minnesota. A portion of all proceeds from these season tickets are donated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Loon Monitoring program. Both season tickets and single match tickets are available now at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.

TRANSACTION: Minnesota United sign midfielder Josh Gatt to Major League Soccer roster, pending receipt of his ITC.

VITALS:

Josh Gatt

Position: Midfielder

Born: 8/29/1991 (25 years old)

Height: 5-10

Weight: 165lbs.

Last Club: Molde

Hometown: Plymouth, Michigan

Birthplace: Plymouth, Michigan

Citizenship: USA

Twitter: @JoshuaGatt