Erik Friberg spent 1 season with the Sounders and due to “Family Reasons” has been transferred to Swedens Malmo.

To be honest, I do not think it is that big of a loss. Friberg was an average player. He had great field presence and fed some great balls to the forwards, but his first touches and finishing was below par.

The Sounders midfield is awesome. Any MLS team will have a hard time finding a better midfield than Zakuani, Rosales, Fernandez and Alonso. Friberg seemed to fill some holes in a season with a lot of injuries and I feel the Sounders can bring someone else in that can contribute the same or better than Erik Friberg.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Official release from the SoundersFC:

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Erik Friberg has been transferred to Malmö FF of Sweden’s top flight. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the transfer will not be disclosed.

“Erik is starting a young family, and he feels it would be best to do so close to home,” said General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “This move enables the couple to be near their families and have the proper support.”

Friberg is a native of Göteborg, Sweden and played his first five professional seasons for BK Häcken (2007-10) and Västra Frölunda IF (2005-06). Malmö, winner of a record 19 Swedish titles, finished fourth in the 2011 Allsvenskan and complete UEFA Europa League play on Thursday.

“I am very proud to have played for Sounders FC and our tremendous fans,” said Friberg. “It’s been a fantastic year for me, one that I will never forget. I want to thank my teammates, the coaches, the club officials and our supporters for all their help and encouragement. Perhaps in the future, there will be an opportunity for me to come back and play again for the Sounders.”

Friberg, 25, signed with Seattle in December of 2010 and started 23 regular season matches and appeared in 26. He scored one goal and contributed two assists.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – MF Erik Friberg transferred to Sweden’s Malmö FF