The Philadelphia Union announced on Thursday the signing of Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez.

The 26-year-old Lopez, who was on loan with Costa Rica’s First Division Champion Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Chinese Dalian Haichang.

The press release from the Union says, “Lopez will be eligible to join the Union upon receiving his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

The 5′ 11” Lopez debuted with Santos de Guapiles in 2005, playing in 42 matches. In 2009 he moved to Puntarenas where he made 31 appearances and scored one goal. The defender moved to China’s First Division side Dalian Haichang in 2010, scoring two goals in ten appearances, before returning to Costa Rica on loan to Alajuelense.

Below is a highlight reel of Lopez from 2010.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I2yAA8lkZ4[/youtube]