Sounders' Tiffert signing confirmed, Fernandez sent to Chicago Fire

The Seattle Sounders had two big announcements on Friday July 27th. They confirmed the signing of Christian Tiffert and also announced that Alvaro “El Flaco” Fernandez was traded to the Chicago Fire.

—Seattle Sounders FC Press Releases—

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has traded midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to the Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money, the club announced today.

“We would like to thank Alvaro for his contributions to the club over the last two years and wish him well in the next chapter of his career with the Fire,” said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer.

Fernandez, 26, joined Sounders FC midway through the 2010 season. In his two and a half seasons in MLS, Fernandez has scored 13 goals with three assists in 55 matches (starting 38). He was second on the club with nine goals in 2011 and has scored twice in the 2012 campaign. He added three goals and five assists in CONCACAF Champions League play, including the winner in Seattle’s historic win at CF Monterrey on August 23, 2011. Overall, Fernandez scored 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Sounders FC.

Fernandez has been capped 11 times by Uruguay and made four appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He began his professional career in Uruguay with Atenas in 2006 and joined Montevideo Wanderers a year later. He also played for Mexico’s Puebla, Uruguay’s Nacional, Portugal’s Vitoria Setubal and on loan with Chile’s Universidad before signing with MLS in the summer of 2010.

Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday with a road match against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Traded MF Alvaro Fernandez to Chicago Fire in exchange for allocation money.

Christian Tiffert (left) is the newest Sounder. (Gerhard Möhsner)

Christian Tiffert announced as newest Sounder

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has signed German midfielder Christian Tiffert, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Tiffert will be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa. He will occupy one of three Designated Players slots on the Sounders FC roster following the trade of Alvaro Fernandez.

“We were extremely impressed with Christian during his visit to Seattle,” said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “His character and mentality fit well with the culture we have established within the organization, both on the field and in the locker room. We believe Christian will help us in our push towards the playoffs and beyond.”

Tiffert (pronounced TIFF-ert), 30, was the captain of FC Kaiserslautern of the German Bundesliga and has more than 280 appearances in Germany’s top flight. Tiffert has 12 years of top level experience in Germany and Austria, and the offensive midfielder led the German Bundesliga with 17 assists in the 2010-11 season.

“We wanted to bring in a player who is a central midfielder and has playmaking capabilities,” said Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “Christian is a player who fits this mold and brings a lot of experience from the top league in Germany. His leadership and versatility make him a good fit for our club.”

The six-foot midfielder began his professional career in 2000 with German side Tennis Borussia Berlin. He then joined VfB Stuttgart for six seasons where the team was Bundesliga runners-up in 2003 and German League Cup runners-up in 2005. While with Stuttgart, Tiffert also won the 2000 and 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Following his time with Stuttgart, Tiffert joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in 2006 and won the Austrian Bundesliga by 19 points, posting a plus-47 goal differential. Tiffert returned to Germany in 2007 and spent three seasons with MSV Duisburg before joining FCK in 2010.

A native of Halle, Germany, Tiffert made 24 appearances with the German U21 National Team from 2002-04. He began his youth career with Hallescher FC from 1994-98 and played for Tennis Borussia Berlin youth team from 1998-2000.

Sounders FC returns to MLS action on Saturday with a road match against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed MID Christian Tiffert

Christian Tiffert

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6’0

Weight: 174

Birthdate: 2/18/1982

Place of Birth: Halle, Germany

Hometown (Citizenship): Halle (Germany)

Pronunciation: TIFF-ert

Last Club: FC Kaiserslautern (Germany, 2010-12)

Previous Clubs (chronological): Tennis Borussia Berlin (Germany, 2000); VfB Stuttgart (Germany, 2000-06); Red Bull Salzburg (Austria, 2006-07); MSV Duisburg (Germany, 2007-10)

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