Earthquakes make big move, sign Swedish star
San Jose pays highest transfer fee in its history for Swede
SAN JOSE >> The Earthquakes’ offensive transformation took a big turn with the signing of Sweden’s Magnus Eriksson as a designated player, the Major League Soccer team announced Wednesday.
San Jose paid the highest transfer fee in its history to acquire the player who led Sweden’s top division in goals last season, Eriksson’s agent, Anders Carlsson, told this news organization. Swedish newspaper Expressen previously reported the transfer fee was about $1.4 million.
“He checked all the boxes,” Quakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli said in a news conference. “He has the attitude, the character and then he has the consistency when it comes to scoring and delivering assists.”
Fioranelli, who cleared salary cap space in the offseason for the multi-year signing, said Eriksson’s versatility and defensive work ethic were the main attributes that led to the signing.
Eriksson, 27, was ready to make the move to MLS as the league’s reputation grows in Europe. He now hopes to bring “spirit” to his new team, the player said Wednesday.
“I’ve been loved by my own and hated by my opponents,” he said of his style.
Eriksson scored 14 goals to tie as the Golden Boot winner for Sweden’s Allsvenskan while playing for Stockholm club Djurgardens. He also added seven assists and helped Djurgardens rise from seventh place in 2016 to third in 2017.
“I have had the opportunity to coach with and against Magnus for many years in Sweden,” San Jose’s new coach Mikael Stahre said in a statement.
Stahre said his target forward is “capable of contributing from multiple positions, and will always work hard for his teammates.”
Eriksson recalled training under Stahre as a teenager. “He was one of the reasons that I stopped playing hockey and went 100 percent for soccer,” Eriksson said.
The Quakes were searching for a hard-working target forward to pair with star Chris Wondolowski.
While Marco Urena played well with five goals and three assists, the Costa Rican international didn’t do enough as a special discovery player who commanded a big salary.
Urena was left off the protected list and selected last week by Los Angeles FC in the expansion draft.
Two years ago, Quincy Amarikwa played the role of hold-up forward but a damaged knee sabotaged his career. He saw limited action last season after returning from surgery in midseason.
The latest move also leaves a question about what Fioranelli plans to do with Simon Dawkins, an English designated player who has had little impact the past two seasons.
The 5-foot-11 Eriksson will be asked to control the ball for an offense that has some dynamic players in attacking midfielders Jahmir Hyka and Valeri Qazaishvili and Wondolowski. The team also hopes to re-sign Dutch striker Danny Hoesen after his strong debut last season.
Eriksson, who plays as a central forward or rightside midfielder, joins Swedish defender Joel Qwiberg as the Quakes’ big offseason moves ahead of the arrival of Stahre.
Fioranelli said it is no accident the Earthquakes have turned to Sweden.
“Their most recent success even beating Italy to the World Cup speaks for itself,” he said. “Sweden has always had big talent over the last 25 years. They’re doing a lot of things right in development.”
Eriksson has scored almost everywhere he has played.
In 2011, the forward had 15 goals and five assists in 30 appearances to help Åtvidaberg of the Swedish second-tier earn a promotion.
Then Eriksson had 11 goals and four assists in 20 games in the top division before being transferred to Belgium’s K.A.A. Gent.
In 2013, he led Malmo FF to a championship in his first year. Eriksson had a team-high 11 goals and a league-high 14 assists.
The player also has 12 appearances for various Swedish youth national teams. Eriksson recently was called to a January training camp for 2018 World Cup preparations.
Eriksson’s availability will become official after he gets a P-1 visa and his international transfer card.
Fioranelli said he has the roster almost ready as the team looks forward to the opening of training camp next month. The Quakes are in “ongoing talks” with players that could reinforce the roster, he added.