João Paulo reportedly returning to Sounders

João Paulo has agreed to return to the Seattle Sounders, Sounder at Heart has confirmed. Niko Moreno was first to report the development. It is understood that João Paulo will only be guaranteed through 2025, likely paid below the Targeted Allocation Money threshold (a little less than $750,000 in 2025).

João Paulo originally joined the Sounders ahead of the 2020 season, first as a Designated Player on loan from Brazilian side Botafogo. The Sounders eventually completed his transfer in 2021 and he subsequently established himself as arguably the top two-way player in MLS. But an ACL injury in the Concacaf Champions League final cost him most of 2022, and although he returned in 2023, he hasn’t quite been the same. More recently, he’s been dealing with a chronic hip issue that limited his effectiveness. Still, he managed to appear in 32 matches across all competitions last year.

João Paulo was a free agent following the 2024 season and has expressed some frustration about the state of negotiations, according to Moreno’s reporting. The Sounders have maintained that they were interested in bringing back the 33-year-old, but primarily more as a depth piece in a season in which they’re effectively guaranteed to play more than 40 matches across various competitions.

In 2024, João Paulo was reportedly guaranteed about $1.4 million and was one of the Sounders’ highest-paid players. His new contract will likely reflect what is expected to be a more reduced role going forward.