Kim Kee-Hee a Sounder once again!

As Sounders at Heart have confirmed the Korean defender Kim Kee-Hee is now confirmed to make his Sounders return! It's been 1 of the worst kept secrets in Seattle with tons of speculation for weeks now with Kee-Hee even being confirmed as approaching Seattle wanting a return to the land of the free's rainiest city. And his will has become reality! Bolstering a defense that already allowed the least amount of goals in the MLS last season.

Despite his age of 35, old for athletes specifically he's still being doing a amazing job since leaving the Sounders in his time back in his home country. During his return to the K-League, Ulsan finished 1st or 2nd in their domestic league every year and Kim Kee-Hee led the Uslan defense to helping the Hyundai sponsored club to win the 2020 Asian Champions League,. Which meant he played in the 2020 Club World Cup and even helped Uslan to qualify for this summer’s Club World Cup through the federation’s club-ranking system. And I mean he led them he was a regular starter for the Korean superclub. Playing in 1,904 minutes last season in 2024.

Now the K-League isn't the MLS but to be named to the K-League best 11 in 2024 shows he still has something valuable to give to a MLS team in 2025 and it doesn't even have to be as a starter. Like I said before the Sounders is already the best in the MLS with the likes of the incredible Stefan Frei as the goalie leading the line and great pieces like Alex Roldan, Jon Bell, Nouhou Tolo, Obed Vargas etc. plus was already bolstered by Josh Atencio dropping from CDM to CB even with the Sounders switching to 5-3-2 we may already have 3 starting level centerbacks so Kee-Hee might have to accept a rotational role. But if he's so ready to retire in Seattle he may have already accepted that.

Not to mention with so many promising young defenders like Mo Shour, Travian Sousa and Leo Burneyplus players we drafted like Ryan Baer and Demian Alvarez. Having someone like Kim Kee-Hee who helped the Sounders win the 2019 MLS Cup and having been around America and Asia always being elite in whatever league he's landed. He has the experience and seemingly the will to mentor these promising young defenders and to teach them how to make the most of their great potential. Like Kee-Hee himself did in his career. So there's a lot to look forward to with the Korean returning to the RAVE green. Thanks a bunch for reading!