Sporting KC signs Spanish midfielder Dovale

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) Sporting Kansas City has signed versatile Spanish midfielder Antonio Dovale, who will be added to the roster once his international transfer certificate and visa are in order.

Dovale will occupy the fifth of Sporting KC's eight available international roster spots.

The 23-year-old midfielder will join the defending MLS Cup champions after six seasons with Spanish League club Celta de Vigo. Dovale came up through the Barcelona Academy along with FC Barcelona's Jonathan Dos Santos, Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich and Bojan Krkic of Ajax FC.

Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes says Dovale can play multiple positions and hopes he will be up to speed soon.

Sporting KC lost its MLS opener to Seattle over the weekend. It returns Wednesday to play Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League.