Seattle Sounders FC have welcomed defender Jeff Parke to the club - finally. The 27 year-old taken by the Sounders in the expansion draft, but has been in Europe chasing a contract.

However, Parke is now ready to resume his career in MLS and featured in the Sounders' reserve-team on Friday.

"I made the decision to come back," Parke told the Seattle Times. "The grass isn't always greener on the other side, as they say. The situations that I was in were difficult and I didn't want to put myself in a situation where it was unpleasant every day."

Parke can't play in any games until his league-imposed 10-game suspension is complete. He was suspended for violation of the MLS substance abuse policy last year. Parke missed six games, including the Red Bulls' playoff run, in 2008, and this year's opener. He is eligible to suit up when Seattle plays at Chivas USA on April 18, Sounders FC's fifth game of the season.