Sounders: Clint Dempsey will not play again this season amid health concerns

SEATTLE --Star Seattle Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey will not play for the remainder of the season after undergoing medical evaluations for an irregular heartbeat.

General Manager Garth Lagerwey made the announcement Tuesday morning.

"His return to play is not important relative to his health," Lagerwey said. "If we prioritize this now, hopefully we can get Dempsey back in 2017."

The team says Dempsey's health is their top concern and there would be no further update until next season.

"Clint has overcome a lot, and I believe he can overcome this as well," Lagerwey said.



Dempsey had returned to practice at Starfire Sports earlier this month but has not played since August.

Dempsey, 33, scored two goals in the team’s 3-1 win against Portland on Aug. 21, before being sidelined. Few details of Dempsey’s condition — including its severity — have been released.

He's played four seasons with the Sounders, coming from the English Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. The 33-year-old has 37 goals and 23 assists in his MLS career.