We knew that Álvaro Fernández was in town so it was only a formality that the Seattle Sounders FC would announce his signing.

The Press Release from Sounders FC:

RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC have acquired Uruguay National Team midfielder Alvaro Fernandez, it was announced today. Fernandez, 24 played in four matches for semifinalist Uruguay during the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Fernandez qualifies as the club’s third Designated Player. His signing will be finalized upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Fernandez has not yet been added to the active roster. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Fernandez started for Uruguay in the quarterfinal against Ghana and was a substitute in wins over South Africa, Mexico and South Korea. La Celeste took fourth in South Africa, its best finish since 1970. He has been capped 11 times by Uruguay-including appearances in six qualifiers-since his debut in 2008.

“I’m very excited to be playing in the U.S. because the football has grown a lot in the last few years and keeps getting better,” said Fernandez. “Seattle is beautiful and I think it’s the ideal place to be with my family. All these things helped in making my decision.”

“Alvaro is a versatile player who can play in a number of midfield positions,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC head coach. “He brings good energy to the game as well as World Cup experience. He can score and also set-up others.”

Fernandez played the 2010 season for Chile’s Universidad. Universidad, located in Santiago, finished second in the Primera Division and is currently in the semifinal stage of the Copa Libertadores, the South American club championship.

Said Fernandez: “My goals are always the same whenever I join a team: try to help, on and off the field; help the club achieve its goals; and, obviously, win championships. I believe I can contribute through my experience. I describe myself as a fast, smooth player, who can play on either flank. I am strong in the air, and I work very hard.”

“Alvaro is experienced internationally and he has demonstrated a tremendous work rate and great tactical awareness,” said Chris Henderson Sounders FC technical director. “He likes to connect passes, possesses good pace and moves well off the ball.”

Fernandez earned his first selection by the Uruguay National Team while playing for Nacional. In addition to national team play, Fernandez has top-flight experience in Uruguay, Mexico, Portugal and Chile. In 2009 Nacional won the Uruguayan Primeria Division and reached the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Signed MF Alvaro Fernandez

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6-1

Weight: 159

Birthdate: 10/11/1985

Birthplace: Soriano, Uruguay

Citizenship: Uruguay

Uniform Number:15

Pronunciation: AHL-bah-ro

Last Club: Universidad de Chile (Chile; on loan from Nacional) 2010

Previous Clubs (chronological): Atenas (2006), Montevideo Wanderers (2007-08), Puebla (Mexico, 2008), Nacional (Uruguay, 2008-09), Vitoria Setubal (Portugal, 2009-10)

Alvaro Fernandez Career Statistics

Season GP/GS (Goals)

2007 Clausura Montivideo Wanderers 13/12 (2)

2007 Apertura Montivideo Wanderers 15/13 (0)

2008 Clausura Montivideo Wanderers 15/15 (1)

2008 Apertura Puebla (Mexico) 12/12 (0)

2008 Apertura Nacional 1/1 (0)

2009 Clausura Nacional 9/8 (3)

2009 Vitoria Setubal (Portugal) 9/6 (0)

2010 Universidad (Chile) 11/9 (1)

Totals 85/76 (8)

Here is video of the new Sounder.

Update: Quotes from after practice.

Adrian Hanauer – General Manager

(On Alvaro Fernandez . . .) “We have been tracking Alvaro for a while. Versatility, quality, character, a lot of the same attributes that we have been interested in all along. Alvaro is a player who has a very good pace. He is good in the air. Versatility, he can play anywhere across the midfield. Again, we just felt like another quality player was necessary to continue to build on what we have got and certainly to make a run for the playoffs.”

(On Fernandez’s World Cup experience . . .) “Obviously our fans are pretty sophisticated and have supported us and want to see a winner. I think it’s not coincidental that a lot of good players play in the World Cup. [. . .] It seemed like a place to try and mine talent. But we are not going to sign a player because he played in the World Cup. We signed Alvaro because we think he can help us significantly to improve our team.”

(On how Sounders FC matches up with the rest of MLS . . .) “Good. I have said all along I think when we are healthy, when we are on our game, when the mentality is right we are as good of team as any. It’s a very even league so that doesn’t mean I think we are miles better than anybody. I do think we can win a championship when we are firing on all cylinders.”

Sigi Schmid – Head Coach

(On Alvaro Fernandez . . .) “Obviously we are very pleased to have him here. Alvaro is coming off the World Cup, having started a game in there and coming off the bench for three more games besides that. He is young. He is a guy who his best soccer is still ahead of him, which is always nice when you can bring players like that into the league. He is also a player who can play on the flank. He can play pretty much anywhere in midfield. He is pretty much a two-way guy. He’s got good pace and I think he will adjust to the league quickly.”

(On when Fernandez will play . . .) “It’s just a matter of, obviously he is signed, getting his ITC [International Transfer Clearance] and so forth so we want to have that happen as soon as possible.”

(On Fernandez’s skill and age . . .) “I think if we can show ourselves to be a viable league to bring in players like that and they are going to continue to grow and continue to develop. Obviously if he does well then one day he might move on but then that opens up the door for the next guy to do the same thing. I just think when you get players at that age and at that level it just shows that you are a more viable league, that you are higher up in that pecking order across the world.”

(On San Jose Earthquakes . . .) “It’s an important game for us, obviously. It’s an important game for them. Last time I thought we were a little unlucky when we played them at home. I thought we created a lot of chances and didn’t score in that particular game. We have got to make sure we finish our chances, that’s obviously important. They are a team right now that has a good belief in themselves. They have found a unit that is working a little bit like we have found, as well. From that standpoint I think it’s going to be a very intense game, a game where both teams are going to dig in their heels and give everything that they have. It should be an exciting game.”

(On Fredy Montero . . .) “Confidence and effort, for sure, are two of the things. He is very confident right now and with that confidence his effort has certainly risen. You can’t always pinpoint was it this or was it that. But certainly right now his is playing with in Germany we would say a very free mind, a very free head. He is going into games feeling confident, feeling that he can be a guy that can make a difference. He always feels he can make a difference in a game and make a key play and eventually that’s what every team needs. You need a player who can win games.”

Alvaro Fernandez – Midfielder

(On when he was first approached by Sounders FC . . .) “During the World Cup I was approached to start talks and I’m very happy to be here now.”

(On coming to MLS . . .) “I was asking contacts that I have and they told me that MLS in America is a very strong league. It worked out well.”

(On first impressions of Seattle . . .) “I am very impressed by the team. I am very impressed by the sports complex that we have here. I was very impressed by the fans last night and the stadium.”

(On what type of player he is . . .) “I’m a fast, agile, versatile player able to defend as well as attack.”

(On beating Ghana in World Cup quarterfinal . . .) “Very happy, a craziness that you can’t even describe as we say in Uruguay. Having accomplished getting fourth place, we celebrated a lot.”

(On result in World Cup . . .) “We had a great group of great players.  We went through it accomplishing everything objective by objective and in Uruguay everyone was happily surprised that we got fourth place.”

(On having other Spanish speaking players on the team . . .) “Without a doubt the other guys that speak Spanish have been helping me out a lot so it makes it easier to get along with everyone but I still want to learn English to be able to talk to everyone.”

(On what he knew about Seattle before signing . . .) “Really I didn’t know anything, nothing.  When I got the option of coming here, I looked it up on the internet and now that I’m here I see that it’s quite lovely.”

(On bringing family to Seattle . . .) “I’m married and my wife is expecting a baby so I’m hoping to bring her here as soon as possible to be with me. [. . .] Recently married, just a few days ago. [. . .] We had planned on an earlier date but because of the World Cup that made us speed things up a bit.”