Dempsey cleared to play in 2017 after 5-month irregular heartbeat layoff

Seattle Sounders star forward Clint Dempsey is ready to make his playing return after his future was thrown into doubt due to an irregular heartbeat.

Dempsey was sidelined for five months, missing the end of a 2016 campaign that ended with his team clinching its first MLS Cup title. But the U.S. men's national team veteran is now back in training for Brian Schmetzer's side and says he should be good to go for the 2017 season.

"It was a medical issue," Dempsey told reporters in a video posted to the club's official Facebook account. "Everybody's kind of talked about it. I don't want to go that much into it. It's my kind of business. But I'm cleared to play. I've taken the proper time out that I needed to be out for what was going on and I'm feeling good now.

"It was a heart issue, but, you know, it's difficult to kind of explain, but at the same time, I'm not feeling those things anymore.

"As far as I know, I'm cleared for game action."

Dempsey explained that he began feeling somewhat off around February of last year, but felt normal in the summer as he and the U.S. national team competed in the Copa America Centenario.

When he returned, he explained he began to feel symptoms again, and by the end of August, doctors ruled Dempsey out for the rest of the season. However, he says with a little more sleep and good care, he has managed the problem.

And he's raring to go once again.

"Throughout my career, this is probably the longest I've ever probably had to be out, which is pretty lucky - it was only five months," Dempsey said. "It's tough being out but at the same time, I've been pretty blessed throughout my career, really, not having missed too much time.

"It feels great to be back playing again, doing what I love to do. I'm excited to be back in the team, especially after the team did so well in winning the MLS Cup. I'm looking forward to this year and trying to help out any way I can."