Seattle Sounders general manager has explained the reasons behind signing Jeff Parke about 18 months after a deal first looked likely.
The 28-year old defender finally signed a deal with the Sounders last week and Hanauer said that it was always on the cards if Parke's foray into Europe did not work out.
"We always stayed in touch with Jeff and his representatives, and always made it clear to Jeff that we wanted him here and there was an offer sitting there," Hanauer told The Seattle Times. "He went back to Europe, and if things didn't work out in Europe, and if he was still interested in coming back to the U.S. and MLS - at least until there wasn't an offer on the table - there was an offer on the table."
Parke was originally taken in the 2008 Expansion Draft by the Sounders but decided to sign with USL First Division club Vancouver Whitecaps after beginning his professional career with New York Red Bull in 2004.
