The Rapids on Friday signed one of the most known players in its history when the MLS side added Argentine star Claudio Lopez to its roster.
The 35-year-old forward/midfielder last played with Kansas City and was considered one of the most skilled South American players when he played in the 1990s for Valencia in Spain, Racing in Argentina and Lazio of the Italian Serie A league. He also played for Club America in Mexico, leading them to a CONCACAF Champions Cup title.
“Any time you can add a talented player like Claudio to your club, the group becomes better,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “Claudio brings with him a tremendous amount of international experience at the highest levels and he has proven himself as a playmaker in our league.”
In two seasons at Kansas City, Lopez notched 13 goals and 15 assists in 57 games.
Lopez holds 58 caps with Argentina, playing in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.
He is the Rapids most newsy signing since the club added Christian Gomez with a designated roster spot in February 2008. But Gomez fizzled in Denver, scoring just three goals and adding six assists in 20 games. He was traded to DC United a year later.
