Mexican Goaltender Campos Signs With L.A. Team of MLS

He roams the soccer field, and his fashion sense is all over the map too.

So it isn’t surprising that Mexico’s World Cup goalkeeper, Jorge Campos, who wears colorful, eye-popping outfits, has again decided to defy conventional wisdom. Saturday, Campos told The Times that he has signed a three-year deal with the Los Angeles franchise of Major League Soccer.

His decision provides the start-up league, scheduled to begin next year, with a needed boost of credibility. He said he will also play in Mexico, sometimes in the same week when the league’s seasons overlap.

“I don’t believe anyone in the world could take advantage of playing in two different leagues,” he said through an interpreter. “It is something very special. I don’t consider myself a missionary. I’m just part of what will make the league work.” MLS paid a transfer fee of close to $2 million to his club team, Pumas of Universidad Autonoma de Mexico. Players usually receive 25% of the transfer fee, but Campos is expected to receive more because of his long tenure with Pumas. Campos is negotiating with two or three Mexican club teams for next season.

Campos, 28, compared this move to his switch from forward to goalkeeper. He led Pumas in scoring with 14 goals in 1989 and moved to goalkeeper in 1990.

“I hope to manage my position as effectively as I have in Mexico,” he said. Campos will be introduced to the media in New York on Tuesday, when MLS plans to announce the final two cities in the 10-team league--Kansas City and Denver. Campos will be at an L.A. news conference Wednesday. MSL is also expected to announce the signing of Colombian midfielder Carlos Valerrama.