HARTFORD, Conn. (Reuters) -- Former French international forward Youri Djorkaeff resumed his career on Friday when he signed for the MetroStars of the MLS.

Djorkaeff, who turns 37 next month, was released last month by Blackburn Rovers of the English Premier League after making just three appearances for the club, the last of which was against Chelsea last October.

The MetroStars open their tenth Major League Soccer season on April 2 when they host expansion club Real Salt Lake.

"We're thrilled to bring a player of this calibre, in Youri Djorkaeff, to the MetroStars and our fans," said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "With Youri, we now have an additional seasoned veteran who is experienced at winning championships."

Djorkaeff, whose father Jean made 48 appearances for France and played in the World Cup finals in 1966 in England, played 82 times for France and scored 28 goals. He was in their World Cup winning team in 1998 and European Championship winning side two years later.

He turned professional in 1984 with lower division Grenoble where he played for five seasons before joining Strasbourg.

In 1991, he joined AS Monaco, helping the team win the French Cup that season. In 1994, he was the league's top scorer with 20 goals. Djorkaeff helped Paris Saint-Germain win the UEFA Cup in 1996 before signing with Inter Milan where he led the team to victory in the UEFA Cup in 1998.

In 1999, Djorkaeff moved to FC Kaiserslautern where he stayed for three seasons before signing with Bolton Wanderers, enjoying his best season in 2003-04 where he notched nine goals in 27 games and helping the club to the League Cup final which they lost to Middlesbrough.

Plagued by a hamstring injury during his brief spell with Blackburn, Djokaeff was released by manager Mark Hughes in January. He made his third and final appearance in a 4-0 loss to Chelsea.

"I always dreamed of living in New York. It's the choice of a way of life," Djorkaeff told reporters in Paris.

"If the New York solution had not happened, I would have stayed at home. I never had any desire to play for Qatar or St Gratien (a French third division club)."

Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.