Seattle Sounders sign Panama defender Roman Torres

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Sounders' midseason makeover continues as the club has signed Panamanian central defender Roman Torres.

Seattle announced the signing of Torres on Wednesday, the third major signing by the club in the past 10 days. Seattle has also signed Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez and Austrian midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz.

Torres should instantly help a defense that has struggled of late as the Sounders have dropped eight of nine MLS matches.

Torres was previously playing for Millonarios in Colombia and is regarded as the top defender on Panama's national team. Torres has six international goals since 2013 and scored in Panama's loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals last month. Torres was called for the controversial handball that allowed Mexico to pull even late in regulation on a penalty kick.