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Chalk this up as another move that was expected, but Sounders FC signed veteran defender Djimi Traore on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who joined preseason camp in earlier February, played 88 English Premier League games for Liverpool from 1999-2006  and started for the Reds’ UEFA Champions League winning team in 2005. He also has experience with European teams like Portsmouth, AS Monaco and Marseille.

Traore will be added to the roster once he receives his P-I visa and international transfer clearance. Per team and league policy, terms were not disclosed (though he’s most likely cheaper than another accomplished preseason trialist, Mikael Silvestre).

He is expected to compete for a starting spot.

“Djimi has a great deal of experience and has played in the top leagues in Europe,” said sporting director Chris Henderson in a news release. “He’s a very good defender and makes smart decisions with the ball coming out the back. Djimi brings us confidence and leadership in the back.”

Traore will be the Sounders’ fifth international player of seven available slots (one was traded to Montreal to acquire Lamar Neagle). The four others are Adam Johansson, Mario Martinez, Andy Rose, and — for now — Christian Tiffert, who could have his contract bought out before the March 2 deadline.

What do you think of the move?