Seattle Sounders' No1 draft pick Steve Zakuani is looking forward to a reunion with new teammate Freddie Ljungberg. Zakuani was coming through the Arsenal youth system when the Swede was starring for Arsene Wenger's first team.

"I just know that they've got some good players," said Zakuani. "I looked over the roster obviously. The main name I saw was Freddie Ljungberg, who played at Arsenal. I grew up watching him play and I'm excited about him. I don't know yet [how I'll fit in]; I'm just going to go over there and play.

"I'm confident in my abilities and what I can do. Obviously Coach has seen some stuff in me that he likes, and he's got ideas and we'll see how it works out."

On coming through the system at Arsenal, Zakuani also said: "That's where I learned to play the game of soccer. Anybody who's seen Arsenal play knows that the way they play soccer is the most attractive style in the world. I grew up under that tutelage for five years.

"I got to travel around the world with them to some major tournaments, play against some of the best players in England, week in and week out, and some of the best players around Europe. That's really where I got my soccer education. It was just a great time, a great experience."