The Colorado Rapids have signed 32-year-old French defender Gilles Grimandi.
Grimandi has been a free agent since Arsenal released him after the 2001-2002 season. He made 114 English Premier League appearances and scored four league goals after joining the Gunners from Monaco for a $1.5 million transfer fee in 1997. He played 22 league games and four FA Cup games when Arsenal won the double in 1998.
He also played in the UEFA Cup for Arsenal and made seven Champions League appearances for Monaco, with which he won the French League in 1997.
He may be used as a defensive midfielder by the Rapids.
''I think when partnered with Pablo Mastroeni in the center of the park Gilles will bring a great deal of balance and experience to our midfield,'' Rapids coach Tim Hankinson said. ''Gilles brings something special to the club, and that might just be the element we needed to help us win an MLS Cup.''
The Rapids signed Grimandi by using a ''discovery pick'' after the player visited the club and trained with the team at the end of last season.