SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has acquired forward Héber from New York City FC. A veteran attacker with over 100 career goals to his name, Héber comes to Seattle after scoring 30 goals in 88 appearances across all competitions for NYCFC from 2019-2022. As part of the trade package, Seattle sends NYCFC $200,000 of 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $200,000 of 2024 GAM, as well as an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met. The Brazilian does not occupy an international roster slot and is under contract for the 2023 season with a club option for 2024.
“We are excited to bring in Héber and strengthen our team with a proven, veteran attacking player,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “Héber’s track record across multiple leagues speaks for itself, and he has been an impact player since coming to MLS. I’d like to welcome him to Seattle and look forward to watching him work with our existing squad once camp opens.”
Héber, 31, began his professional career with Figueirense FC, playing in both the Brazilian first and second divisions and scoring 17 goals across all competitions from 2010-2013. He added 12 goals from 2013-2015 with Brazilian sides CRAC, Avaí FC and Paysandu SC before a breakout season with FC Alashkert in its title-winning 2015-2016 campaign, where he led the Armenian Premier League with 16 goals (20 across all competitions). The striker scored 10 goals for Croatian side NK Slaven Belupo in 2016-2017 before moving to fellow Croatian club NK Rijeka. Héber played with Rijeka from 2017-2019, tallying 27 goals in 52 appearances (44 starts) across all competitions. Héber has one goal in six career UEFA Champions League appearances, in addition to one goal in nine Europa League appearances.
“I’d like to welcome Héber to Seattle and look forward to seeing him in preseason camp,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “You always need players that can score, and Héber has been goal-dangerous throughout his entire career. I can’t wait for him to get to work with our coaches and his new teammates to add another strong piece to our attacking group.”
Héber joined NYCFC on a permanent transfer from Rijeka on March 21, 2019, scoring 15 regular-season goals in his first MLS campaign, including a pair of multi-goal games against FC Cincinnati. He scored a hat trick against San Carlos in Concacaf Champions League action before battling injury for much of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Héber found his form again in 2022, scoring 11 goals across all competitions, including postseason tallies against Inter Miami CF and CF Montréal.
Sounders FC’s roster currently sits at 27 players as the club continues its offseason preparations for the 2023 campaign, which starts with the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco from February 1-11.
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC acquires forward Héber from NYCFC on December 29, 2022 in exchange for $200,000 of 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $200,000 of 2024 GAM, as well as an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met. Héber is under contract for the 2023 season with a club option for 2024.
Full Name: Héber
Pronunciation: EH-behr
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Hometown: Colorado de Oeste, Brazil
Date of Birth: August 10, 1991 in Colorado de Oeste, Brazil
Nationality: Brazil
Acquired: Joined Sounders FC via trade on December 29, 2022 from NYCFC in exchange for $200,000 of 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $200,000 of 2024 GAM, as well as an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met
Previous Clubs: NYCFC (2019-2022), NK Rijeka (2017-2019), NK Slaven Belupo (2016-2017), FC Alashkert (2015-2016), Paysandu SC (2015), Avaí FC (2014), CRAC (2013), Coimbra Sports (2011-2016), Figueirense FC (2010-2013)
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (4): Jacob Castro, Stefan Cleveland, Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas
DEFENDERS (6): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Nouhou, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan
MIDFIELDERS (13): Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting, Léo Chú, Ethan Dobbelaere, João Paulo, Sota Kitahara, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan, Kelyn Rowe, Albert Rusnák, Dylan Teves, Obed Vargas
FORWARDS (4): Héber, Fredy Montero, Jordan Morris, Raúl Ruidíaz
