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Rapids sign Liberian Roberts Posted: Wednesday February 26, 2003 6:43 PMATLANTA (SI.com) -- The Colorado Rapids said Wednesday that the team had acquired Liberian international Zizi Roberts in a multi-year deal. Details of the contract were not disclosed. The 23-year old forward, who previously played for Greek club Olympiakos, joins the Rapids as a transitional international and will not count towards the team's three full international roster spots. "Zizi is a strong forward that brings speed and presence to our front line." Rapids head coach Tim Hankinson said. "His versatility will add a new dimension to our attack." The 6-foot-2 journeyman earned his first cap with the Liberian national team at the age of 17 in the 1996 African Nations Cup and has played more than 35 times for his national side. He was listed as a defender on the 2002 Nations Cup side. Born in Monrovia, he began his professional career with club Jr. Professional FC in 1996 in his native country. He followed former FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah's footsteps to Italian powerhouse AC Milan in 1997. After playing in exhibition matches for the 13-time Italian League Champions, Zizi was loaned to Serie B side Monza, where he played 27 games scoring five goals. In 1998, he transferred to Ravenna, where he scored one goal in 18 games playing as a defender. After a short stint with Swiss club Bellinzona, he joined Ionikos of the Greek first division in 1999, scoring eight goals in 16 games. He continued his time in Greece with Panionios in 2000. He played 20 games, scoring six goals. In 2001, he joined Athens powerhouse Olympiakos, where he scored five goals in his first eight games. Zizi became a regular in the starting lineup for the Greek side during their stint in the 2001-02 Champions League tournament.
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