Zizi joins Colorado Rapids

Zizi joins Colorado Rapids

Roberts and Weah celebrate a goal

Liberian international Zizi Roberts has signed for the American club Colorado Rapids as the squad list for the new Major League Soccer season is finalised.

The 23-year-old utility player, who played for the Lone Star at the African Nations Cup finals in Mali last year, was playing in Greece for Olympiakos but was given a free transfer at the end of last season.

Roberts has applied for a green card in the USA, which is expected to be a formality because he is married to an American citizen.

The green card allows Roberts permanent residency in the USA and means he is not counted as foreign player in the MLS.

I felt like we needed a forward with some size

Coach Tim Hankinson

Roberts will take over the mantle of world famous Carlos Valderrama at the Rapids, who have also signed Frenchman Giles Grimandi from English club Arsenal.

The Liberian is set to play as an attacker when the season begins in April.

"Last year, I felt like we needed a forward with some size," Rapids coach Tim Hankinson said. "There are some times when you need to go with a bigger body to bang around with the bigger defenders in the league.

Roberts already owns property in Minnesota and has lived on and off in the area since 1999.

He started his career in Europe with AC Milan, who loaned him out to Monza, before he moved to Greece.

He played first at Panionios and then at Olympiakos.

His move to Colorado was facilitated by Edwin Snowe, president of the Liberian Football Federation, who is now living in Denver.