Sporting Kansas City transfer news: Sporting KC signs goalkeeper Tim Melia

After signing Luis Marin as the apparent starting goalkeeper, Sporting Kansas City has filled out the remainder of the goalkeeping needs with the signing of Tim Melia.

Melia is a MLS veteran who started out with Real Salt Lake in 2010 and went on loan to Charleston Battery for the season. After being waived by RSL the following year, he signed with Chivas USA to back up Dan Kennedy and was part of the MLS goalkeeper pool after being waived by Chivas USA in July.

"I am really excited about the opportunity," Melia said in a press release. "I had the chance to work with the Sporting KC coaches as a pool goalkeeper earlier this year and Kansas City is a great place where professionals can thrive. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to come into a club with a talented staff and team in place to go along with the best fans and facilities in the League."

He was with Sporting Kansas City in 2014 when he was called up from the goalkeeper pool to back up Jon Kempin. With Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum out, Sporting was down to one keeper for a couple of matches in August, so Melia became Sporting KC's backup. Now he is back with the club on an official capacity. He was also called up by FC Dallas in October and DC United in November.

There has been no indication as to whether he will be the primary backup to Luis Marin with Jon Kempin getting more work in Oklahoma City or whether he will be the third-string with Jon Kempin becoming the full-time backup. We probably won't know until training camp to see how Peter Vermes feels about Kempin going forward. This move puts Sporting KC at 22 roster spots as they continue their rebuild of the roster this offseason.

For a deeper look into Melia's recent performances, check out his year in review from SB Nation's Chivas USA blog, The Goat Parade.