Sounders’ Ljungberg says he’ll fulfill contract

By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer

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REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Swedish midfielder Freddie
Ljungberg reiterated his commitment to the MLS on
Thursday, just two days before playing against a former
English Premier League foe Chelsea.

The Seattle Sounders FC midfielder dispelled rumors that
he might be looking to return to Europe, saying he’s
content playing in MLS and intends to honor his two-year
contract.

“I will stay here. I like it in Seattle,” Ljungberg said
after the Sounders wrapped up practice Thursday at
Microsoft Corp. headquarters. “I just want to say that
there may be rumors and stuff but I want to stay here and
want to play, and let the fans and everyone know that I’m
staying.”

Earlier this week, reports surfaced in Europe that various
teams were interested in Ljungberg, who previously starred
for Arsenal and was captain of the Swedish national team.

Plagued with injury problems his final few years in
England, Ljungberg has put those questions aside with a
strong start in his first MLS season. He’s played in 13 of
17 matches, scoring twice and assisting on five other
goals. Despite missing four games, he was named to the MLS
All-Star team that will face Everton FC later this month.

There even have been rumblings of Ljungberg and Seattle’s
other All-Star, goalkeeper Kasey Keller, potentially being
open to contract extensions beyond 2010.

Ljungberg’s contract pays him $1.3 million per season,
easily Seattle’s highest paid player and the fourth
highest in the league behind Los Angeles’ David Beckham,
Chicago’s Cuauhtemoc Blanco and New York’s Juan Pablo
Angel.

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