Swiss right back Jérôme Thiesson Coming to Minnesota United

Update: Soccer By Ives is reporting that the deal is done. We will continue to monitor the situation.

With just two weeks until the start of the MLS season, it appears as though Minnesota United might not be done bolstering their roster just yet.

According to the widely-read Swiss tabloid Blick.ch, the Loons appear to be moving towards signing 29-year-old Swiss right back Jérôme Thiesson. Thiesson has spent his last six seasons playing for FC Luzern in the Swiss Super League, for whom he has made a total of 98 appearances. He’s started on nine occasions for Luzern so far in the 2016-17 season.

Earlier this week rumors were floating around that Thiesson was slated to join Toronto FC but it now appears as though Minnesota United are the front runners to land the Swiss full back. Blick has reported that the deal bringing him to Minnesota just needs a signature at this point.

It’s no secret that right back has been a spot that needs to be addressed for the Loons as Jermaine Taylor and Kevin Venegas have both failed to impress during the team’s handful of preseason games. Thiesson would surely step in immediately at the right back position for Minnesota given his experience at the position in Switzerland. In addition to playing right back, he also has the ability to play at left back or as a central midfielder.

Minnesota United’s Sporting Director Manny Lagos has been aggressive in addressing the team’s needs leading up to the start of the regular season, having acquired Josh Gatt, Bobby Shuttleworth, Bashkim Kadrii and John Alvbåge over the past month. If he’s able to acquire the signature of Thiesson, he will have done a great job in shoring up the team for their opener against Portland on March 3rd.