SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has transferred midfielder Henry Wingo to Norwegian side Molde FK. Wingo made 31 appearances across all competitions for the First Team over three seasons after signing as a Homegrown Player prior to the 2017 campaign. Sounders FC retains 100% of the transfer fee per MLS rules regarding the transfer of a Homegrown Player.
“Henry is a promising young player that has played extensively at all levels of our club’s pipeline,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “When he wasn’t getting consistent minutes with the First Team, he was able to utilize our USL side to get games under his belt and continue his development, allowing a move like this to be possible. He’s always been a good pro and we wish him the best of luck going forward.”
Wingo, 23, signed with Sounders FC as a Homegrown Player prior to the 2017 season and made 23 First Team appearances (including postseason), as well as four each in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. He appeared in 31 USL contests and made 28 starts from 2017-2019, recording six goals and two assists. Wingo netted five goals in 1,750 minutes for Sounders FC 2 in 2017-2018, as well as one marker in seven contests for Tacoma Defiance this season.
“As a Seattle native and a member of the Academy going back to his teenage years, I am confident that Henry will go and do his best at Molde,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s a good, athletic young player with potential, and I’m keen in following the next step in his career.”
Wingo spent three seasons at the University of Washington, making 56 appearances and earning All-Pac-12 Second Team honors in 2015 and 2016. The Shorecrest High School graduate played at least 18 matches in each of his three seasons with the Huskies, starting 35 of 37 appearances in 2015 and 2016. Prior to his time at Washington, Wingo spent the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 campaigns with the Sounders FC Academy.
“We’ve known Henry for a long time now going back to his days in the Academy, and he has continued to develop each step along the way,” said Sounders FC VP of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “It’s exciting to see our Homegrown Players progress their careers, whether it’s in Seattle or abroad, so we’re looking forward to seeing how he handles his next opportunity.”
Following a 3-3 home draw with New England on Saturday, Sounders FC now embarks on a two-match road stretch this week, beginning with a Wednesday matchup at Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium (7:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). The club then heads to Southern California for a matchup with the LA Galaxy on Saturday, August 17 at StubHub Center (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN2, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC transfers Henry Wingo to Molde FK on August 12, 2019.