Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that the club has signed 25-year-old French defender Aurélien Collin. Collin joins Kansas City after previously playing for Vitoría Futebol Clube in Liga ZON Sagres, the Portuguese top flight.

"The coaching staff has been following Collin since August of 2010,” said Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes. “We felt there was a possibility to sign him when the window opened in January. Some things changed with his club so we are very excited to have completed this deal prior to the close of this window.”

THE SPORTING WAY: Bienvenue, Aurelien!

Collin is a discovery signing for Sporting Kansas City and will fulfill an international spot on the team’s senior roster. He has trained with the team since March as a guest trialist and Collin will join the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

“We think he will be a solid addition, and his experience in a number of different countries will bring a different dimension to our backline," Vermes said.

Collin started his professional career with Scottish side Gretna F.C., making 19 appearances for the club during the 2007-08 season. Collin would then have a short spell with Greek club Panserraikos, where he made nine appearances. In February 2009, Collin joined Blue Square Premier Club Wrexham F.C. on contract until the end of the 2008-09 season.

Collin would make a total of 12 appearances with Wrexham before signing a two-year contract with Vitoría following a free transfer in August of 2009.

This season Collin had made 14 appearances with 12 starts for the club, contributing in three clean sheets. Collin also featured predominantly in the Taça de Portugal, the Portuguese Cup, scoring in the club's 3-2 quarterfinal loss to Académica de Coimbra.

Transaction: Sporting Kansas City (MLS) signs defender Aurélien Collin

VITALS

Aurélien Collin (au-REEL-ee-en)

Defender

Number: 78

Height: 6-2

Weight: 169

Born: 3/8/1986

Hometown: Enghien-les-Bains, France

Citizenship: France

Last Club: Vitoría Futebol Clube (Portugal)