The Sounders on Friday are expected to "announce they’ve signed" Raul Ruidiaz, a "two-time Liga MX scoring champion and Peruvian national-team fixture," to a Designated Player contract through the '21 season, according to a source cited by Geoff Baker of the SEATTLE TIMES. The source said that the deal is worth $14M. The first game Ruidiaz can play for the MLS club will be a "nationally televised July 15 clash" against Atlanta United. Sounders GM Garth Lagerwey said, "It certainly took a big commitment from our owners, but we got our eight-figure player." The deal with Ruidiaz includes a $7M "transfer fee to his former Morelia team" as well as $7M in "total salary the next 3½ seasons." Lagerwey in April "promised an eight-figure DP signing and has strongly hinted that additional offensive help will be added as well." Baker notes having Ruidiaz play in the Atlanta match "would be a boon not only for the team but MLS as well." That game will be "immediately preceded on Fox by the World Cup final, meaning the national viewership numbers for that Sounders match should be huge" (SEATTLETIMES.com, 6/29).
ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET: THE GUARDIAN's Graham Ruthven writes Wayne Rooney joining DC United is a "symbolic signing." DC United "could soon have new owners," with Lakers investor Patrick Soon-Shiong "reportedly close to a deal that values the club" at $500M. Additionally, the club on July 14 will "move into their new" $180M Audi Field home, which "presents the image" of the club's future. Rooney "would be another statement of ambition." DC United, "even in their glory days, have never been a club distinguished by big name players." But while the signing of Rooney "marks a new age," the general response to his arrival at DC United "has been one of apathy." MLS is in a "very different place to where it was" when David Beckham joined the Galaxy in '07. Now, fans are "energised by exciting, winning soccer rather than fading European jersey-shifters" (GUARDIAN, 6/29).
