Nik Besagno loaned to Sounders

SOUNDERS RECEIVE FORMER #1 PICK NIKOLAS BESAGNO ON LOAN

(Seattle, WA)- The Seattle Sounders have received midfielder, Nikolas Besagno, the former number one pick in the 2005 MLS Superdraft, on loan from Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, the team announced today. The loan deal starts immediately and runs through September 8, 2008.

A native of Maple Valley, WA, Besagno is in his fourth year as a professional after being signed by Real Salt Lake when he was 16. At the time, he was the second youngest player to be drafted by a Major League Soccer team, only Freddie Adu was younger at age 14.

“It’s a bonus for us to add a local young man with quality and potential to the roster in these times where, through injury, the roster is extremely thin,” Coach Schmetzer said. “Nik will be a welcome addition and I hope that he will be able to have some impact in the time he’s on loan from Real Salt Lake.”

A product of Generation Adidas, Besagno is a former U.S. U-20 and U-17 Men’s National player. From 2004-2005, Besagno earned 22 caps (19 starts) and scored two goals for the U.S. U-17’s. He also played in two of four matches in the 2005 U-17 World Cup held in Peru.

Besagno has appeared in 8 games for Real Salt Lake and started four. His older brother, Jake, was a Sounder in 2006 and 2007 playing 2180 minutes and scoring one goal.

The Sounders host Juventus Primavera, the primary reserve team of Italian giant, Juventus, Thursday at the Starfire Sports Complex. Kick-off is set for 7:00 pm. Tickets are going fast, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 206-628-0888 to see the world stars of tomorrow!