`WORLD-CLASS TALENT' SIGNED.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

SAN JOSE - Finally.

After nearly a week of talk that Mexican standout Luis Hernandez would join the Galaxy, Ivan Gazidis, Major League Soccer's executive vice president of player relations, announced the completion of the deal Tuesday.

``We are proud to sign a world-class talent such as Luis Hernandez,'' Gazidis said in a press release. ``He is a unique player whose on-field ability and dynamic personality are matched by few players throughout the world.''

``It's been a dream of mine to make it big in the United States,'' Hernandez said by telephone from Mexico. ``The time is right for me to move on and experience soccer outside of Mexico.

``I'm happy to be going to a city I am very familiar with. I love Los Angeles and look forward to scoring many goals for the great fans of Southern California.''

The signing couldn't have come at a better time for the Galaxy, which had informed starters Clint Mathis, Joey Franchino and Roy Myers last Wednesday that they would be headed to other teams in order to pave the way for Hernandez's allocation to the Galaxy. Mathis and Franchino didn't play in Saturday's match in Dallas and none of the three will play in San Jose tonight.

``It's a huge, huge acquisition,'' Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. ``We're talking about one of the premier forwards in this part of the world. Luis is a proven scorer and someone who will generate a lot of interest among our fans.''

``Adding Hernandez to the Galaxy is the greatest addition MLS has ever made,'' Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri said. ``Marco Etcheverry (of D.C. United) is a great name and a big star, but I'd have to rank Hernandez above him. . . . Luis is a world-known name, and he's proven himself in Mexico and in the World Cup. He has lived up to his reputation.''

Hernandez will not join his new teammates in San Jose for tonight's match against the Earthquake but is expected to arrive Friday in Los Angeles.

Team officials said Hernandez will make his MLS debut Saturday night, when the Galaxy play D.C. United at the Rose Bowl. Galaxy officials said 10,000 tickets have already been sold and they expect as many as 50,000 for Saturday's game.

Gazidis flew Tuesday to Monterrey, Mexico, to help put the finishing touches on the deal with Hernandez and his Mexican club team, Tigres of Monterrey.

Although MLS doesn't release financial details, reports in Mexico claim that the league paid a nearly $5 million transfer fee to Tigres to buy Hernandez's contract.

GALAXY vs. SAN JOSE

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Spartan Stadium, San Jose

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net 2; KRLA-AM (1110); KTNQ-AM (1020, Spanish)

CAPTION(S):

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Box: Galaxy vs. San Jose (see text)