Fire signs two-time World Cup vet Guillermo Franco

The Fire announced Friday that the team has signed 35-year old striker Guillermo Franco on a free transfer. The move comes just a day before the MLS roster freeze.

Franco is expected to see his first action with the Fire when the team takes on FC Dallas Tuesday in reserve league action.

“We’re happy to add a talented player like Guillermo to our team,” head coach Frank Klopas said in a team statement. “He has a wealth of international playing experience and will be a great asset as we look to strengthen our squad for a potential MLS Cup Playoff run.”

Franco represented the Mexican national team at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. In 2006 he played alongside fellow countryman and Fire starting holding midfielder Pavel Pardo who was instrumental in convincing Franco to sign with the Fire.

Franco was born in Corrientes, Argentina and became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2004. He made his debut for the Mexican national team in 2005.

Franco has played for clubs in Argentina and Mexico and most notably for West Ham United of the English Premier League. He provides Klopas with a viable scoring option coming off the bench, something that has been lacking this season.

This is the fourth major move the Fire has made to its attacking front five since the opening of the secondary transfer window. The Fire traded for outside midfielders Alvaro Fernandez and Wells Thompson and signed Dutch striker Sherjill MacDonald in advance of Franco’s signing Friday.