Stefan Frei officially signs new deal with Sounders

Stefan Frei has officially signed a new two-year contract with the Seattle Sounders, confirming Sounder at Heart’s report from about three weeks ago. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available, but are likely similar to his existing deal that paid him about $650,000 per year.

“I am ecstatic to have Stef return for another extension to his already hugely successful career," Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said in a team release. "On top of being a trusted leader of this group, he showed once again this year that he is one of the top goalkeepers in MLS. A club legend in every sense of the word, his impact on this organization over the years – on and off the field – has been immeasurable.”

Frei, 37, will enter his 11th season with the Sounders after joining them ahead of the 2014 season in a trade from Toronto FC. He is coming off a season in which he allowed just .88 goals per game and posted 14 shutouts in the regular season. Frei owns virtually every club goalkeeping record and has made 353 appearances, well over half the Sounders' matches across all competitions during the MLS era. During his professional career with Toronto and Seattle, Frei ranks among the all-time MLS regular-season goalkeeping leaders with 378 starts (third), 159 wins (third), 105 shutouts (third) and 1,195 saves (fifth).

Perhaps more importantly to him, Frei has also helped the Sounders win two MLS Cups, four Western Conference trophies, a U.S. Open Cup, a Supporters' Shield and a Concacaf Champions League title. He has also won an MLS Cup MVP (2016) and was named Player of the Tournament, Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Best XI honors during the 2022 CCL win.

“I'm excited to continue my career here with the Seattle Sounders,” Frei said. "From my first taste of Open Cup in 2014 to making history winning the Champions League in 2022, my time here has been filled with nothing but good memories. However, as a wise man once said, we're not done yet. I look forward to more opportunities to add to our trophy cabinet and keep writing history. I cannot wait for our next season to start. Go Sounders!”