SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC has signed forward Obafemi Martins to a multi-year contract extension, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.
“Oba has been an integral part of our team on and off the field, and has established himself as one of the premier players in MLS,” said Sounders FC Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “He was a monumental signing when he first joined us last season, and we are thrilled that he will continue his career with Sounders FC.”
Martins, who turns 30-years-old today, has been among Major League Soccer’s top performers throughout 2014. The Designated Player scored a club-record 17 goals during the regular season, fifth in MLS, including five multi-goal games – good for second in MLS this year. His 13 assists were fifth in MLS and tied the club’s single-season record set by Mauro Rosales in 2011 and 2012. The 2010 FIFA World Cup veteran also ranked among the league’s best throughout 2014 with 0.55 goals per game (7th), 0.45 assists per 90 minutes (T-7th), 67 fouls suffered (7th), 36 shots on goal (T-10th) and a 46.8% shots on goal percentage (T-7th).
“I’m very excited that Oba is going to be staying on here in Seattle and that we were able to come to an agreement,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He’s had a fantastic season and we expect more fantastic seasons as we move forward.”
Martins has been an explosive presence up front since signing with Sounders FC on March 15, 2013. He is already second in club history with 25 goals in just 51 MLS appearances, and his 17 assists rank fourth all-time in the Seattle record book. Sounders FC has never lost a match that Martins has scored in, accumulating a 19-0-0 record during his time in Seattle.
“I’m very happy to have signed a contract to be with this team and these players for multiple years,” Martins said. “This season is not over yet, so I’m excited to do more and score more goals, but it’s nice to know I’ll be here going forward.”
In addition to being named to the Fan XI for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, Martins was voted Etihad Airways Player of the Month for September after recording five goals and one assist in five appearances. He was also voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 24 for his two-goal, one-assist performance in a 4-2 road win over Portland. The Nigerian has earned AT&T Goal of the Week honors five times this season, and has been named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week seven times.
In 2013, Martins was tied for the team-lead with eight goals, in addition to his four assists in 20 appearances after signing in March, including five game-winners.
A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Martins spent 12 professional seasons in Europe’s top leagues before joining MLS, scoring 103 goals in 316 appearances for Inter Milan, Newcastle United, VfL Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan and Levante. He also has 38 career caps and 18 goals for the Nigerian National team.
Name: Obafemi Martins
Position: Forward
Height: 5'7”
Weight: 154
Born: October 28, 1984 in Lagos, Nigeria
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Citizenship: Nigeria
Transaction: Signed to a contract extension by Seattle Sounders FC on October 28, 2014. Originally acquired by Sounders FC on March 15, 2013.
Professional Experience: Levante (Spain, 2012-13), Kazan (Russia, 2010-12), VfL Wolfsburg (Germany, 2009-10), Newcastle United (England, 2006-09), Internazionale (Italy, 2001-06)
