With the 45th overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, the Sounders selected defender Markus Fjortoft. Standing at 6-5, 205 pounds, the hulking center back starred at Duke University for four seasons, earning the team's Defensive MVP award in 2016 and 2017. He played alongside Sounders midfielder Zach Mathers for two seasons. Prior to his time at Duke, Fjortoft - whose father, Jan Age, earned 71 caps with Norway - played in the Academy for Norwegian club Baerum SK.
Fjortoft, 24, will look to learn from First Team center backs Román Torres, Chad Marshall and Tony Alfaro.