News: Sporting KC signs midfielder Oriol Rosell

He's from Barca.
http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/08/sporting-kc-signs-midfielder-oriol-rosell

Finally official

Cool. If he's here I say we throw him in this weekend and see what he can do.

He's been with the team for a period now, right? So should have been training with them - will be able to make a competitive appearance sooner than later?

Most online info shows him as a CB but we introduce him as a mid. Wonder what our plans are for him.

I think we've always seen him as a DM which could fill in at CB... that's what I remember hearing prior.

We see him as a DM and apparently he's due back in town today or tomorrow so I severely doubt this weekend.

a younger hopefully faster Cesar

A few questions based on statements from the article:

1. "joins the team as a discovery signing". Does the term "Discovery Signing" have special meaning or is it as simple as he was discovered and signed?
2. "fulfill an international roster spot". I read where MLS teams started with 8 international roster spots in 2012, but they can be traded. I have no idea how many the club has and who currently fulfills them. Did SKC have one to spare or will a current international player be released?
3. "multi-year agreement". I suppose there are terms that MLS contracts can be bought-out and multi can be two, but is this sounds like a longer-term commitment. Is it?

1. It means we filed a discovery claim on him that we filled. Teams can file something like 25 discovery claims on players in a year.

2. We have 7 we traded 1 to SJ. Aiyegbusi, Cesar, Collin, Joseph, Markovic, Nielsen, Rosell

3. Yes there are. This deal is probably a standard 2+1+1 (2 years plus 2 one year option years).

Got it. Thanks for the explanation!

I wonder if Rosell could eventually play Espinoza's role, assuming that Roger goes elsewhere after this season as many are now anticipating.

Speaking of which, should SKC consider offering Espinoza a DP contract? They would know exactly what are getting, unlike most other candidates.

Tough call. He's an engine in midfield, a great two-way player, links up with both the front line and the back line. Never gives up on anything, has gotten smarter with his challenges, and seems like a great locker room guy. Continues to grow and get experience with his national team, and is only 25 years old. The only thing is, for a midfielder, he doesn't score hardly at all; only two goals for us since 2008. Granted, we played him as a left back for much of that time, and is more of a DM than an AM. But still, you'd like to see him show up on the stat sheet a little more. But he does give you all the things you want in a player that don't show up on the stat sheet.

I don't really care whether you call him a DP or not, I think his positive qualities are such that SKC would be wise to make a very good offer to try and keep him.

I think we found the reason why the Javi Guerra deal did not go through. Oh well, it's not like we're short on strikers we're just short on quality finishes at the moment. Happy about the Rosell signing overall, I just want to see the guy play!

Why cause we're full on internationals? Players can be waived, INT spots can be traded for. That wasn't the reason. It was a condition on Sporting's side not from the player or agent that KC didn't want to meet.

I take it that the unacceptable condition was imposed by either MLS or Guerra's current club?

I'd definitely like to keep him, but if he's still on contract for next season, I wouldn't mind selling if the price is right (and the way he's been playing lately it probably would be).

I love me some Roger, but I don't think he can't be replaced, either.

My guess is current club or the dreaded '3rd party'

I was under the impression that Espinoza's contract is up after this season, but I cannot find confirmation anywhere. As usual, those kinds of details are kept under wraps by MLS and SKC. He is in his fifth year with the club, so he presumably must have signed an extension at some point.

What kind of "third party" has a say in these kinds of negotiations? Could it have been one of the other MLS teams that tried to sign him last year, and thus might still have nominal rights to him? That would just be another reason for ire toward Chicago and/or Seattle.

It's an international business contract, there could be a dozen parties involved. There are the governments, the agent representing the player, and a number of other parties that could be involved.

A dozen? We just signed another Spaniard (Rosell), so I doubt that the governments were getting in the way, and it has already been stated that the unacceptable demand did not come from Guerra's agent.

If Im reading it right, its as many as ten (10) "discovery claims" at "any one time;" and such discovery claims are not limited by number during the year. Rule II.E

Teams are limited to 6 discovery "signings" per season. Rule II.E

My guess, the 10 claim rule is a revolving door, used to promote a discriminate method of discovery, in a blind manner, while establishing a predictable order of priority in the event more than one mls club seek the same player's services. MLS to its children: Play nice, all.

Markovic was a discovery signing as well.

My main assumption is the other club but the other thought was the 3rd party ownership stuff you hear about