Grimandi makes quick Rapids exit

French midfielder Gilles Grimandi has struck a deal with Major League Soccer that has allowed his return to France, having never played in a league match for the Colorado Rapids.

Grimandi, who has played with English champions Arsenal and was Colorado's highly touted off-season addition, packed his bags and walked out on the club before a 1-1 draw with D.C. United last weekend. He was officially dropped from the roster Wednesday.

"That's a player that we had built plans around and he had committed to us, so from that standpoint it's very disappointing," Rapids coach Tim Hankinson said.

Grimandi, 33, was sent to Colorado on January 7 and played a March 12 exhibition in Las Vegas against Mexican club Santos Laguna.

"The player has cited family and personal reasons as the main factors influencing his decision to separate himself from the Rapids and MLS," Colorado Rapids general manager Dan Counce said.

"The Colorado Rapids, while disappointed by his choice, respect the players personal freedom in making such a decision. Work to find a top quality replacement player has already begun."

That replacement is expected to be Jamaican midfielder Daryl Powell, who is scheduled to arrive here Saturday for a visit. Powell has played with Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County in England.