Claudio Lopez stays as Kansas City Wizards to sign new Designated Player

Claudio Lopez is returning to the Kansas City Wizards for MLS season 2009.

According to team sources, the Wizards have signed Lopez to a new contract that will be considerably less than the $800,000 in guaranteed salary he earned as a Designated Player in 2008, says ESPN. Terms of the new deal were not available, but the new contract frees up the Wizards' Designated Player slot.

The new deal could lead to Kansas City acquiring another top international attacking player, with forward being the biggest need area.