Leo Gonzalez returns to Costa Rica

The Seattle Sounders confirmed today that longtime defender Leo Gonzalez has returned to his native Costa Rica, where he has signed a contract wtih CS Herediano.

Gonzalez, 35, began his professional career with Herediano in 2000. He played there eight seasons before joining the Sounders during their 2009 expansion season in MLS.

The Sounders chose not to renew Gonzalez’s contract earlier this off-season. He was not selected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft, and had indicated that he would not play with any MLS team but Seattle.

His departure leaves the club with just two players from the expansion season: Brad Evans and Osvaldo Alonso.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Leo Gonzalez returns to Costa Rica."