Erik Sviatchenko leaving Houston Dynamo to play for Thai club Port FC

Danish defender Erik Sviatchenko is heading to Thai club Port FC following a multi-year stint with the Houston Dynamo .

Port FC play in Thailand's top division. The 34-year-old Sviatchenko first signed with the Dynamo in March 2023, playing in 80 MLS matches for Houston over the course of four seasons.

"We want to thank Erik for his contributions to the Club on and off the field during his time in Houston," Dynamo general manager Pat Onstad said in a statement. "He played a key role in the team winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2023 and setting a club points record in 2024. Erik approached us this summer and requested to pursue a new challenge outside of MLS. While the timing of his departure is not the most advantageous for the Club, we appreciated his tenure here, and we are supportive of his next competitive endeavor in Thailand."

After starting the first four games of the season, Sviatchenko has settled into a bench role this year for the Dynamo. Since Houston returned to action following the World Cup break, Sviatchenko has come off the bench twice and been an unused sub six times.

The Dynamo, currently second in the Western Conference standings, have five wins, two ties and one loss since returning in mid July.

Sviatchenko came to Houston from FC Midtjylland in Denmark , where he won the Danish Superliga Player of the Year award for the 2019-20 season.

Sviatchenko is the latest player to leave the Dynamo during the summer transfer window. Last month, forward Ezequiel Ponce moved to Elche CF in Spain and midfielder Ondřej Lingr departed for Korona Kielce. U.S. midfielder Jack McGlynn is also reportedly closing in on joining Stoke City in England .

Houston has signed striker Duncan McGuire and defender Marcelo Saracchi during the transfer window.