Minnesota United signs Argentine attacker Franco Fragapane to four-year contract

It's official: Minnesota United completed its trio of player signings in this elongated current transfer window by acquiring Argentine left-side attacker Franco Fragapane.

Fragapane, 28, signed a four-year contract using targeted allocation money and will fill an international roster spot, the team announced Wednesday. He must undergo a physical and complete a five-day quarantine once he arrives in Minnesota.

He played for his Club Atletico Talleres team in Argentina's first division on Tuesday night in a Copa Sudamericana group-play loss.

Loons coach Adrian Heath has said repeatedly that Fragapane would be on the first plane north once his immigration paperwork cleared.

"Incredible energy, can dribble, can run with the ball and turn from defender to attack very quickly," Heath said after Tuesday's training session in Blaine. "He has a goal in him."

His signing comes after the Loons added Boca Juniors striker Ramon Abila in April and this month French first-division forward Adrien Hunou, who arrived from Paris late Tuesday night.

In a team release announcing the signing, Heath called it a "no brainer" decision because of Fragapane's versatility. He can play the "No. 10" playmaking midfield role and also either wing, said Heath, who sees Fragapane primarily attacking from the left side.

The Loons have sought to fill that position since star Kevin Molino signed as a free agent with Columbus in the off-season.

Heath on Tuesday said he would be disappointed if both Hunou and Fragapane weren't available to play the team's next game on May 29 at Real Salt Lake.

"It's another player whose versatility will become more invaluable as the schedule gets more congested later down the stretch," Heath said.

Fragapane is the Loons' third player from Argentina, joining Abila and star Emanuel Reynoso. He played with Talleres in the same city, Cordoba, in which Abila and Reynoso grew up.