After announcing earlier this week that the MLS has sights on expanding to 24 teams by 2020, American soccer fans got more encouraging news when reports dropped Friday night that native son Clint Dempsey will be returning to U.S. soil. Dempsey's former club, Tottenham Hotspur, announced early Saturday that the Texan had indeed been sold back to the MLS. Prior to the Sounders game Saturday against FC Dallas, the team introduced Dempsey to the fans in Seattle. "I think we'll accomplish some great things here, so thank you," Dempsey told the boisterous crowd. "This is a historic day for Sounders FC and our fans," Sounders majority owner Joe Roth said in a press release. "Clint is a world-class soccer player who can take this club to a higher level. We have been consistent in our message to the fans that we will spare no expense to win trophies." Terms of the deal are not yet known -- no one from the Sounders will discuss the transfer -- but some reports have Dempsey due to receive $32 million in base salary. Also, according to NBC Sports, Seattle will pay a $9 million transfer fee -- the highest in MLS history. Source:www.cbssports.com [MENTION=521]Sweets[/MENTION]
