Sporting Kansas City signs Argentine forward Bieler as newest DP

Sporting Kansas City addressed its need for more attacking acumen Tuesday, signing Argentine forward Claudio Bieler to a Designated Player contract. Bieler, 28, was formerly with Ecuador's LDU Quito, and Sporting KC paid an undisclosed transfer fee for his services, according to a team statement.

Sporting KC boasts the likes of Kei Kamara, C.J. Sapong and Teal Bunbury in the attack, but with Bunbury coming off an ACL tear and the club scoring just 42 goals in 34 regular season games this past season, adding a premiere goalscorer became a top priority.

In Bieler, Sporting KC hopes it has found just that. He tallied 20 times in 34 games for Quito last season, good for second-most in Ecuador, and he scored a club-record 71 times in 155 appearances during his time there. Bieler has also played for South American sides Club Atletico Colon, Atletico Rafaela, Colo Colo, Racing Club de Avellaneda and Newell's Old Boys. Bieler becomes the the fourth DP in SKC history, joining the likes of Claudio Lopez, Jefferson, and Mexican striker Omar Bravo. The terms of his deal with Sporting KC were not disclosed.

“He’s proven over the years that he’s a very consistent goalscorer,” Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes said. “We think he’s got a lot of good qualities that can fit into our team. Everything from his commitment to being a team player, to his work ethic out on the field, to a guy that lives and breathes for club that he plays for. We’re excited that we’re able to finally secure him and add a player of his caliber to our organization.”