MLS has signed U.S. national team defender Mike Lapper to a two-year contract and assigned him to the Columbus Crew, the league announced yesterday. Lapper, who has spent the past two seasons with Southend of the English First Division, has reported to Columbus and will likely join another new face, Thomas Dooley, in the Crew starting lineup June 7 in Tampa. “This is a big addition for us,” said Columbus head coach Tom Fitzgerald. “Mike has a lot of experience on the international level, and with the U.S. national team. He will add experience and knowledge to the back and help solidify our defense for the rest of the season.” Lapper was a member of the 1994 World Cup team, and the 1995 squad that reached the semifinals of the Cope America. He also was a starter on the 1992 U.S. Olympic team in Barcelona. “I’m excited to join the Columbus Crew and come back home to the U.S. and play in Major League Soccer,” Lapper said. “I’ve played with three members of this team for UCLA (Brad Friedel, Billy Thompson, and Jorge Salcedo), so I will adjust quickly and help the Crew win games and reach its goal of winning MLS Cup.”