Sounders signs Colombian defender Andres Correa

SEATTLE – Seattle Sounders FC announced the signing of Andres Correa, a 21-year-old left back from Colombia on Tuesday.

Correa has spent the last four seasons with Fortaleza and Medellin, appearing in 17 games in the Colombian first division. He also has 10 appearances for the Colombian youth national teams, including the Colombian U-20 team that won the 2013 South American championship.

He has been in Sounders camp as a “guest player,” and started Friday in the club’s friendly at the Los Angeles Galaxy.

He will compete with returning starter Leo Gonzalez and third-year man Dylan Remick.

“I think it’s a situation where Leo is getting older for us for sure,” Schmid said. “We’ve got Dylan Remick, who had a little bit of an up-and-down season last year, but he’s been training very well also. … We’re looking for alternatives as we go forward, so it’s not just this season, it’s also the seasons after this one.”

Strengthening the Seattle defense has been a focus this offseason, made more important after right back DeAndre Yedlin’s departure for Tottenham of the English Premier League.