Dynamo sign Mexican forward Landin

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Dynamo have signed forward Luis Angel Landin, the franchise's first Mexican-born player.

Landin, 24, has appeared in five games for the Mexican national team. He joined the Dynamo on Thursday on loan from the Mexican club team Cruz Azul, where he scored seven goals this season. The deal runs through the end of 2010 and the Dynamo hold the option to acquire his rights permanently after that.

"I am looking forward to getting Luis involved with the team," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "He is a player that will fit nicely into our system. I think we improved our team with an exciting, young, attacking player. We'll get him training as soon as possible and get him ready to play in this physically demanding league."

Landin will occupy Houston's designated player slot. The designated player rule was implemented before the 2007 MLS season, granting each team the ability to sign a player whose salary, above a capped amount, will fall outside of the team salary budget.

He will be eligible to play for the Dynamo in MLS games pending receipt of his work visa.

The Dynamo beat El Salvador's Isidro Metapan on Wednesday night in CONCACAF Champions League play. Landin will not be available for the Dynamo in Champions League games because he was picked for Cruz Azul's roster for the tournament.