Wizards sign Lopez as designated player

The Kansas City Wizards have signed Argentine forward Claudio Lopez as a Designated Player. Lopez, nicknamed "El Piojo" (The Louse) for his quickness and dribbling ability, began his professional career with Estudiantes and Racing in Argentina's first division before playing at world powers such as Valencia (Spain), Lazio (Italy) and Club America (Mexico). Lopez, 33, has 58 career appearances and 10 goals for Argentina's national team and appeared in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

"We had identified a few players globally that we believe would fit into our organization as a Designated Player, and Claudio Lopez is definitely one player at the top of that list," Wizards Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "He fits into our attack-minded team on the field and will be very marketable as well. His experience will be invaluable to the rest of the players on our team."

Lopez will join the Wizards pending his player registration with the U.S. Soccer Federation and the approval of his work permit. Because Lopez is a Designated Player, only $415,000 of his annual salary will be part of the Wizards' salary cap; the club will pay the remainder. Per league and team policy, further contract details will not be disclosed. Other notable players signed under the designated player rule, created prior to the 2007 season, include: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Juan Pablo Angel (Red Bull New York), Claudio Reyna (Red Bull New York) and Marcelo Gallardo (D.C. United).

"This is a move we're comfortable making because our technical staff believes in the player, we have a support system in place for him to be successful, and it provides our fans with the opportunity to see a world renowned goal scorer in Kansas City blue," Wizards President Robb Heineman said. "OnGoal provides high-performance entertainment for our fans; which to us includes being committed to winning championships. This takes another step in that direction."

Lopez appeared in eight World Cup matches in 1998 and 2002, scoring Argentina's lone goal in their 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the 1998 quarterfinal round. Lopez most recently played for Racing Club in Argentina after 11 years away from his country and first professional club.

"Claudio Lopez has won championships on every club he's ever played for," Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. "He's a proven goal-scorer and his quickness, experience and savvy will enable him to have tremendous success for the Kansas City Wizards and Major League Soccer."

After starting his career with 21 goals in his first four full professional seasons (20 in his three years as a starter) in Argentina, Lopez transferred from Racing to Spanish power Valencia. Lopez scored 42 goals in four seasons in Spain, including 21 goals in 32 games during the 1998-1999 season. After helping Valencia to a runner-up finish in the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions' League, Lopez was transferred to Italian powerhouse Lazio for 35 million Euros.

Despite battling injury troubles at Lazio, Lopez scored 28 goals in his four seasons at the club. Lopez then traveled back across the Atlantic to join Mexico's storied Club America, where he scored 18 goals in his first season. Over three years, he scored 27 goals in 87 appearances and helped America win the 2005 Clausura title and later the 2006 CONCACAF Champions' Cup by scoring two goals in the final against UAG Tecos. Lopez becomes the third former Club America player currently in MLS and creates showdowns with former teammates Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire and Duilio Davino of FC Dallas. Lopez then spent the final portion of 2007 with Racing.

Lopez becomes the third Argentinean player on the Wizards roster and the fourth in team history. Lopez joins current Wizards Carlos Marinelli and Eloy Colombano and former Wizards forward Dario Fabbro as Argentinean players on Kansas City's all-time register. Lopez joins former Wizards forward Mo Johnston as the only Kansas City players to score a goal in World Cup competition.

Vitals

Claudio "El Piojo" Javier Lopez

Forward #7

Last Club: Racing Club (Argentina)

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 165

Date of Birth: 7/17/1974

Citizenship: Argentina

Hometown: Rio Tercero, Argentina

Statistics

Titles

Silver Medal - 1996 Olympics

Spanish Super Cup - 1999

Spanish Copa del Rey - 1999

Italian Super Cup - 2000

Coppa Italia - 2004

Mexican Primera Division - Clausura 2005

CONCACAF Champions' Cup - 2006