Sporting KC

Sporting KC signs Chilean midfielder as Designated Player

Published Feb. 6, 2018 10:36 a.m. ET

Sporting Kansas City has signed Felipe Gutierrez, a Chilean international midfielder, as a Designated Player, the club announced Tuesday.

Gutierrez, 27, will occupy an international slot on the club's roster. He was signed to a three-year contract through 2020 with an option for 2021.

"Felipe has a tremendous amount of experience playing in very difficult environments in top-level competitions," Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said in a team press release. "He also possesses the DNA that we look for in players that fit our style. He is excited about joining the club and we are ecstatic for him to be a part of our team."

Gutierrez has represented Chile at the senior international level 35 times. He competed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and helped Chile win the 2015 Copa America title as champions of South America. He also has played almost 250 matches during a club career in Chile, Netherlands and Spain.

Gutierrez played in Spain in 2016-17, then spent most of 2017 on loan at Internacional in Brazil, where he played 16 games and helped the club gain promotion to the top-flight Serie A.

Gutierrez received his first call to the Chile Men's National Team in May 2010. More recently, he made eight appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying and was selected to Chile's roster for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

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