Acquired: Atlanta United signed Tyrone Mears on Jan. 24, 2017. The club had traded for his rights from Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money.
Mears comes to Atlanta after two successful seasons with Seattle that ended in winning the 2016 MLS Cup. A native of Manchester, England, Mears spent the majority of his career playing in England’s Premier League and Championship prior to joining MLS in 2015. The veteran fullback played more than 200 matches in England, beginning his career with Manchester City in 2001. Mears then enjoyed stays with Preston North End (2002-06), West Ham United (2006-07), Derby County (2007-09), Burnley (2009-2011) and Bolton Wanderers (2011-14). During his two seasons with Burnley, Mears played alongside now-teammate Chris McCann, who captained the team.
2016 (Seattle Sounders FC): In 2016, Mears cemented his reputation as one of the league’s top fullbacks, making 32 starts and ranking No. 2 on the team in minutes behind Jordan Morris, and No. 11 in the league (2835). He anchored the Seattle defense which finished No. 7 in goals allowed and No. 6 in shots on goal allowed. Mears assisted two goals, one that set up a game-tying goal against Orlando City during a 3-1 win (Aug. 7) and the other that opened the scoring in the final match of the season against Real Salt Lake in a 2-1 win (Oct. 23). PLAYOFFS: Mears started and played the full 90 minutes in all six of Seattle’s postseason matches, including the 2016 MLS Cup final against Toronto FC which ended in a penalty shootout victory for the Sounders. He recorded one assist in a 2-1 loss against FC Dallas in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals (Nov. 6).
2015 (Seattle Sounders FC): Mears joined Seattle Sounders FC in December 2014. In his first season in MLS, he made 33 starts, scored one goal and registered three assists, including one in his debut against New England Revolution (March 9) in the season-opening match. He also assisted the game-winning goal in extra time against New York Red Bulls (May 31) for a 2-1 win. Mears assisted the lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Portland Timbers (June 28). Mears led the team in minutes (2960). He scored his first goal for the club July 3, a game-winner in the 88th minute against D.C. United in a 1-0 win. PLAYOFFS: Mears started all three of their playoff matches, logging 300 minutes as Seattle fell to FC Dallas in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2013/2014 (Bolton): Mears made just four total appearances. He started one Championship match against Blackburn (Aug. 31) and two EFL Cup matches against Shrewsbury (Aug. 6) and Tranmere Rovers (Aug. 27).
2012/2013 (Bolton): Following Bolton’s relegation, Mears returned from his injury to made 26 appearances, 25 starts, in Championship play. He recorded one assist in a 3-1 win over Birmingham (Dec. 29). In two FA Cup matches he assisted one goal in a 2-0 win over Sunderland (Jan. 15).
2011/2012 (Bolton): Mears transferred to Bolton in July 2011, but suffered a broken leg in August in training and missed majority of the season. He made just one appearance for the first team, a start in Premier League play against Norwich on Feb. 4.
2010/2011 (Burnley): Burnley suffered relegation to Championship for the 2010-11 season, however while there, Mears set a new career-high with eight assists over 44 matches, all starts, while adding one goal. His lone goal came against his former club Derby (Nov. 27), a game-tying goal in the 82nd minute en route to a 2-1 win. Mears recorded two assists in a 3-3 draw against Sheffield United (Oct. 16). He also assisted in consecutive matches against former club Derby (April 23) and Portsmouth (April 25). In just three FA Cup matches, Mears scored one goal and recorded two assists. In a third round matchup against Port Vale (Jan. 8) he scored and assisted in the 4-2 win. In the fifth round game against former club West Ham (Feb. 21), Mears assisted the lone goal in a 5-1 defeat. In addition to two League Cup matches, Mears made 49 appearances across all competitions.
2009/2010 (Burnley): Mears returned to the Premier League when he signed with Burnley ahead of the 2009/2010 campaign. In his first season with The Clarets, Mears started all 38 league matches and recorded a career-high six assists. He made his debut with the club on Aug. 15 against Stoke City. He notched a pair of game-tying assists against Fulham (Dec. 12) and Hull (April 10).
2008/2009 (Derby County and Marseille): Following Derby’s relegation to Championship, Mears made five total appearances, three in Championship league play and two for the League Cup. Mears was then loaned to Marseille of France’s Ligue 1 for the duration of the 2008-09 season. He made seven combined appearances for the French club including three starts in the UEFA Cup where he scored one goal. Mears made his debut in the first leg match of the third round against FC Twente on Feb. 19. He scored his only goal for Marseille in the round of 16 second leg game against Ajax when he tied the game in the 109th minute to set the final score at 2-2 and send his club through to the quarterfinals. Mears made four starts in Ligue 1 play. He made his league debut against Paris Saint-Germain on March 15.
2007/2008 (Derby County): Mears joined Derby permanently in July 2007. He made 26 combined appearances. In Premier League play he scored one goal and recorded one assist in 25 appearances. He recorded an assist against Manchester United (Dec. 8) in a 4-1 loss. Mears’ only goal of the campaign came against his former club West Ham (April 19) in a 2-1 loss when he tied the game in the 65th minute.
2006/2007 (West Ham and Derby County): Mears signed with West Ham United in the offseason and made six combined appearances in his only year with the club. He made his club and Premier League debut when he started in the season opener against Charlton on Aug. 19. Mears made three starts in league play and one in a UEFA Cup first round match against Palermo (Sept. 14) where he played the full 90 minutes. In January of 2007, West Ham loaned Mears to Championship side Derby until the end of the 2006/2007 season. He made 17 combined appearances, including three starts in the Championship Playoffs where Derby beat West Bromwich Albion in the final 1-0 (May 28) to earn promotion to the Premier League. In league play Mears played in 13 matches, starting eight, and scored one goal. His lone strike came in the final game of the season against Leeds (May 6) in a 2-0 victory. Mears also made one start in an FA Cup Last 16 match against Plymouth (Feb. 17).
2005/2006 (Preston North End): Mears returned from his injuries to make 32 appearances, 27 starts, and scored two goals. He scored against Cardiff (Oct. 18) in a 2-2 draw and Luton Town (Feb. 11) in a 5-1 win. He made 73 total appearances during his four seasons with Preston.
2004/2005 (Preston North End): Mears only managed to make five appearances and one start over an injury-plagued season.
2003/2004 (Preston North End): Mears made 11 starts in 12 appearances and scored one goal against Sunderland (March 10). He was named Preston’s most improved player.
2002/2003 (Preston North End): Following Manchester City’s promotion to the Premier League, Mears joined Preston in July of 2002. He made 22 appearances, 11 starts, and made his debut against Walsall FC on Oct. 19. Mears scored his first professional goal against Reading (April 15), his only points of the season.
2001/2002 (Manchester City): Mears made one appearance as a substitute against Nottingham Forest (March 30).
