The United States national team captain was unveiled in front of a packed crowd at the Sounders' CenturyLink Field before their home fixture against Dallas on Saturday, ending speculation about his future after his departure from Tottenham was confirmed.
Dempsey spent seven seasons in England with Fulham and Tottenham. After a frustrating season at White Hart Lane last term, though, he is delighted to be back in the MLS.
"I am very excited about coming back to the MLS and thrilled to be joining Sounders FC," he told the club's official website.
"Having recently played in Seattle with the national team, I experienced the incredible atmosphere and the passion from the supporters first-hand.
"It’s going to be an honor to represent the fans in Seattle."
Dempsey joins new signing Marcus Hahnemann in the Sounders' squad, and the 30-year-old will occupy their third designated-player spot.
The attacker scored seven goals in the Premier League last season and admitted he was preparing for another campaign with Tottenham before he heard of Sounders' interest in signing him.
"Going into the season I thought I was going to be at Tottenham but MLS and Seattle Sounders have moved mountains to get me here and I'm excited to be back in America," he continued.
"This is the league that gave me the opportunity, gave me the chance to be a professional, I'm happy to come back in my prime and make a difference and not (be) coming back when I'm past it.
"The ideal situation is to come in and straight to scoring goals, hopefully it'll be a smooth transition."
Dempsey's previous MLS experience came during a three-season spell with the New England Revolution where he was named rookie of the year in 2004.
He joins a Sounders side seventh in the Western Conference, just two points off the play-off places.
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