Seattle Sounders have welcomed Freddie Ljungberg to Seattle in preparations for their debut MLS season. Speaking at the Sea-Tac Airport both Ljungberg and Seattle FC co owner Adrian Hanauer were in good spirits now the designated player has arrived.

"We've been looking forward to getting Freddie into town," Adrian Hanauer said. "First and foremost we want him to get acclimated to the city, get to know his teammates and get assimilated into the team and over time as he starts training he can be a big contributor to the team."

With Ljungberg undergoing hip surgery in December all eyes are on the star player to see when he may make his MLS debut.

"The hip is doing great, I'm already running and I've played a bit of football. So it's all happy days. I wish someone would have told me earlier and we could have done it. At the end of the day when we found out what it was and that I wouldn't have any problems during the season, Adrian thought it was a no-brainer to do the surgery and get back."

As for a definitive date to when he will play Ljungberg replied: "It's a bit touch-and-go. I feel great, but the physio is a bit concerned and is holding me back a little bit to keep me from having a setback later on. I'm looking forward to it. It's a team sport and when you do the rehab on your own, it's very boring.

"You miss the banter, I'm already running and I've played a bit of football. So it's all happy days. I wish someone would have told me earlier and we could have done it. At the end of the day when we found out what it was and that I wouldn't have any problems during the season, Adrian thought it was a no-brainer to do the surgery and get back to the dressing room. It's going to be great to meet them."