SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC announced on Thursday the signing of former Seattle Sounders FC 2 defender Nouhou Tolo ahead of the upcoming Major League Soccer season.

The 19-year-old Tolo hails from Douala, Cameroon, and made 24 appearances for S2 in the 2016 USL regular season, leading the club with 2,061 minutes of action.

“Nouhou performed admirably for S2 last season and we’re excited to add him to the first team roster in 2017,” said Sounders General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “It’s important that we continue to build players up through our developmental pipeline, and here is another good example of a young player who earned his opportunity to represent the first team.”

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Tolo said he was excited to join the defending MLS Cup champions, and paid tribute to S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson in helping him reach the Sounders’ MLS squad.

“I learned a lot with S2, in terms of the physicality in the U.S.,” said Tolo. “In practice, it’s very [physical] compared to [Cameroon].  I learned a lot from Ezra because he’s a good coach. As a young player, I want to take it step by step and learn and be easy to coach. I have this opportunity and I’ll give my best. I’ll take my time. I’m still 19.”

The Sounders began their preseason preparations this week, and will be part of the Desert Friendlies hosted by the PDL’s FC Tucson as part of their trip to Arizona next week. The Sounders’ preseason preparations will conclude at the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup, hosted by the USL’s Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium where they will also face Atlanta United FC and Columbus Crew SC.