MLS expansion club Vancouver Whitecaps have completed the signing of French striker Eric Hassli.

The 29-year old has joined from Swiss Super League club FC Zurich and Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson expects the 6 foot 4 inch forward to really bring some physicality to his line-up.

"Hopefully, he's the physical presence we've been missing," Thordarson told The Province. "We just hope he will continue to score goals.

Whitecaps' director of soccer operations Tom Soehn added: "You can see he's in-form now and he's a real presence.

"The thing that intrigued me most were his physical abilities. And for a big guy he's very good technically with his distribution. Those qualities translate well to MLS." Hassli has scored close to 30 league goals over the last four seasons in Zurich after stints with French clubs Valenciennes and Metz as well as other Swiss outfits St Gallen, Servette and Neuchatel Xamax. He also had a loan stint with English club Southampton back in the 2001/02 season.