February 18, 2009 5:20 PM

Breaking news: Hurtado signs

The following is what I have written for the Times' Web site:

Jhon (yes, that's how he spells it) Kennedy Hurtado, a central defender from Colombia who just completed a trial with AC Milan of Italy, has signed a contract with Sounders FC, the club announced moments ago.

Hurtado, 24, will join the team in Argentina for training that begins there next week. His contract, like that of fellow Colombian Fredy Montero's deal with Seattle, is contingent on Hurtado receiving his U.S. work visa and international clearance of his transfer from Deportivo Cali, the Colombian club for which he played in 2008.

The addition of Hurtado further bolsters the depth, experience and talent in Sounders FC's defense. Seattle added veteran Tyrone Marshall in a trade last week, and Hurtado, who is listed at 6 feet and 183 pounds, has played a total of 121 matches at the first and second division levels in Colombia since 2004.

Hurtado and Montero were teammates for Deportivo Cali in 2008.

"Jhon has good speed, he's a good man-to-man marker, a good tackler and uses his speed to close people down," Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson said in a statement from the team. "We had a chance to see him play two or three times, plus some video. We're excited to have him join our team."

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