[MLS SPOTLIGHT] Obafemi Martins tweeted that he is a Sounder, but Seattle management wasn't quite ready to confirm the signing of the Nigerian international, whose contract buyout at Levante was confirmed by the Spanish club on Monday.

The Sounders parted with German international Christian Tiffert as its third Designated Player to make way for the 28-year-old Martins, but the deal has dragged on for several weeks.

About the closest Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer would go toward indicating a deal was imminent was to tell reporters on Monday that Martins was a player "we've been circling the wagons on and there seem to be a number of indicators that suggest he might be playing for Seattle at some point in the near future."

Martins had a $3.9 million (3 million euros) buyout clause in his contract with Levante, which he joined as a free agent this season from Russian club Rubin Kazan.

He began his career at Reggiana in Italy at the age of 17. He spent six seasons at Inter Milan and three at Newcastle United but has bounced around since then, spending one season at Wolfsburg in Germany, parts of two seasons at Rubin Kazan and half a season at Birmingham City. His goal gave the Blues the 2011 English League Cup title, but a stress fracture in his left leg later sidelined him soon thereafter and he returned to Russia.

Transfer fees of more than $54 million have been paid along the way.

Wow..Finally,I can now announce that I have just signed for Sounders FC..A big step to take in my career.it's a big challenge but I'm ready

— OBAMARTINS (@oba_martins) March 11, 2013