SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed defender Shane O’Neill. The 26-year-old center back joins Seattle after spending the past two seasons with Orlando City SC, where he started 21 of his 24 appearances. The signing brings Sounders FC’s roster to 21 players for the upcoming campaign, as the 2020 preseason began Tuesday at Starfire Sports.

“Shane is a good veteran player that addresses a position of need for us,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “He’s a guy with experience in MLS and abroad, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him to the squad as preseason camp begins.”

Originally signed as a Homegrown Player for the Colorado Rapids in 2012, O’Neill made 52 MLS appearances from 2012-2015, with his lone career MLS goal scored on May 25, 2014 against Montreal. He then went abroad from 2015-2018 after being bought by Cypriot club Apollon Limassol, but spent time on loan with NAC Breda and Cambridge United before moving to Dutch side Excelsior for the 2017-2018 season. Returning to MLS in the 2018 Summer Transfer Window, O’Neill made 24 appearances for Orlando over the course of two seasons.

Sounders FC began its 2020 preseason on Tuesday at Starfire Sports before it opens its campaign on February 20 in Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 action against Honduran side CD Olimpia. Seattle begins its 12th MLS season with a home match on Sunday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m. PT against Chicago Fire FC at CenturyLink Field.

TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs defender Shane O’Neill on January 14, 2020.

Name: Shane O’Neill

Position: Defender

Number: 27

Height: 6-2

Weight: 190

Born: September 2, 1993 in Middleton, Ireland

Hometown: Middleton, Ireland

Citizenship: United States

Acquired: Signed with Sounders FC on January 14, 2020