KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AFP) - Argentine forward Claudio Lopez is nicknamed "The Louse" but the Kansas City Wizards are hoping to avoid a lousy 2008 Major League Soccer season after signing him Monday.

Lopez, 33, has 10 goals in 58 caps for Argentina's national team and played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

His club career includes stints with Lazio of Italy, Spain's Valencia, Mexico's Club America and Estudiantes and Racing of Argentina. Lopez played last season with Racing after 11 years playing outside his homeland.

"He fits into our attack-minded team on the field and will be very marketable as well. His experience will be invaluable to the rest of the players on our team," Wizards technical director Peter Vermes said.

Lopez becomes the sixth player to join an MLS club under a rule allowing teams to add a player beyond the MLS salary cap, the rule that allowed English star David Beckham to join the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"He's a proven goal-scorer and his quickness, experience and savvy will enable him to have tremendous success," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said.

Lopez scored 42 goals in four seasons for Valencia, including 21 goals in 32 games of the 1998-1999 season. He sparked the Spanish squad to a runner-up spot in the 2000 UEFA Champions League and went to Lazio for 35 million Euros.

He scored 28 goals in four seasons with the Italian club before going to Mexico, where he scored 27 goals in three seasons for Club America.