ADAM OWEN is excited at the challenge of being Seattle Sounders’ high performance director and technical advisor.

The Wrexham-born former Reds’ defender brings a vast amount of experience to the MLS after working in various roles for Sheffield United, Glasgow Rangers, Celtic, Servette, Lechia Gdansk and Hebei Fortune, as well as a nine-year tenure as Wales’ sport science and fitness coach, where he worked under Brian Flynn, Gary Speed, Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs.

Owen will oversees sports science and performance programs for across all levels of the organisation up to Brian Schmetzer first-team, while also advising the club on technical matters.

“I’m very excited to come to Seattle and join a championship club like Sounders FC,” said Owen. “After working for a number of clubs across Europe in my career, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to coach Schmetzer’s staff and helping Sounders’ players develop at all levels.”

Schmetzer believes that Owen is already making an impact, saying: “Adam is a welcome addition to our coaching staff and I look forward to consulting his versatile expertise.

“We are already seeing the benefits he brings to the club and look forward to more once the Orlando tournament begins.”

Sounders’ general manager and president of soccer Gareth Lagerwey added: “We are very happy to bring in Adam, who comes to Seattle with a glittering resume after years of coaching in Europe. We think he can make us better with the versatile skillset he brings to the club.”

Seattle are set to join the 25 other clubs in playing in the MLS is Back tournament in Florida on July 8.

The tournament, played behind-closed-doors, provides a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25th season with group stage matches counting in the MLS regular season standings and the overall winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.

The Sounders have been selected as top seeds in Group B alongside Western Conference clubs Dallas, Vancouver Whitecaps and the San Jose Earthquakes.

Former Seattle high performance director, Damian Roden, also has a new job after he was appointed director of performance at Anderlecht.

Wrexham-born Roden will link up with Anderlecht boss Vincent Kompany, who he worked with at Manchester City, while the Belgian club’s Under-21 coach, Craig Bellamy, is another familiar face after their paths crossed at the Etihad and with Wales.

“Privileged to be joining Anderlecht and attempt to help restore this historic club to its former glory years,” tweeted Roden, who has also worked for Stoke, QPR and Blackburn. “Huge thank you to Vincent Kompany for the invitation, I look forward to working with you again! The ultimate aim...Champions League.”