Sporting KC nabs Gutierrez as Designated Player

Sporting Kansas City's productive offseason continued Tuesday with the signing of Chilean international Felipe Gutierrez as a Designated Player.

The 27-year-old midfielder put pen to paper on three-year contract with Peter Vermes' side, according to a club statement, with an option for a fourth.

Gutierrez joins midfielder Yohan Croizet, winger Khiry Shelton, and forwards Kenwyne Jones and Johnny Russell as Sporting KC's major winter acquisitions.

Capped 35 times by the Chilean national team, Gutierrez has both Copa America and World Cup experience. He most recently played for Brazilian club Internacional while on loan from Real Betis. His contract with the La Liga outfit was terminated last month.

The addition of Gutierrez means Sporting KC now has five Designated Players on its roster - two more than the MLS limit. Vermes and Co. will likely buy down certain contracts with allocation money before the start of the season.

Sporting KC has some flexibility in the financial department. The deal that sent Benny Feilhaber to Los Angeles FC netted the two-time MLS Cup champion $400,000 in allocation money.

Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza, Gerso Fernandes, and Croizet are the four other DPs on KC's books.

Gutierrez can cover multiple midfield positions, offering both defensive assurances and playmaking ability.