The upcoming Nashville MLS team added its first player Tuesday, signing Mexican striker Daniel Rios from Chivas de Guadalajara of Liga MX.
The Nashville franchise is expected to join MLS in 2020. Until then, Rios will be loaned to Nashville SC of the USL Championship.
"Signing Daniel as our first MLS player shows our commitment to put a talented, diverse and exciting team on the field from day one of this franchise," Nashville MLS CEO Ian Ayre said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming him to the club and to seeing him play his part in our Major League Soccer."
Rios, 23, has been with Chivas since 2015. He played on loan this past year with North Carolina FC of the USL, scoring 20 goals in 31 appearances.
"Daniel is the first of many players we will bring to the MLS roster," Nashville general manager Mike Jacobs stated. "He has real potential, and we are looking forward to continuing his development over the next 12 months ahead of our entry into Major League Soccer. He is exactly the type of young, exciting talent we have in mind."
Nashville was awarded an MLS expansion team in December 2017.