Clavijo to Play for Lazers

Fernando Clavijo, one of the Sockers’ most popular players and best defensemen for the past four seasons, has agreed to a two-year deal with Major Indoor Socker League rival Los Angeles.

Clavijo agreed to terms with the Lazers late Thursday, said Keith Tozier, the Lazers’ coach. Terms were not announced.

Clavijo said he wanted to stay with the Sockers, but lack of a commitment for next season forced him to go elsewhere.

“I just couldn’t wait any longer,” he said.

The Sockers were unable to keep Clavijo, in part, because of their new $900,000 salary cap.

“The Sockers actually didn’t show a lot of interest,” said Scott Simpson, Clavijo’s agent. “They did come up with one offer, but it was an insult. L.A.’s offer was very good considering the salary-cap situation.”

Clavijo reportedly earned $80,000 with the Sockers last season, and Simpson said the Lazers’ offer was only slightly less.

Clavijo is the third Socker to join the Lazers in the past month, following goalkeeper Jim Gorsek and midfielder Waad Hirmez.

Clavijo joined the Sockers before the start of the 1984-85 season and was twice an all-MISL defender. He was selected by the media as a starter on the MISL’s all-time team last year and finished one point behind teammate Kevin Crow in the voting for the league’s best defenseman in 1987-88.