L.A. Galaxy has signed Mexico midfielder Jonathan dos Santos from Spain’s Villarreal in a bid to turn around their season, the Major League Soccer club said on Thursday.
Dos Santos, who represented Mexico at the Confederations Cup, began training with the Galaxy on Friday before being unveiled at a media conference.
The move reunites Dos Santos, 27, with his older brother Giovani dos Santos, who joined the Galaxy in July 2015, also from Villarreal.
La Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said “Yes I mean obviously he’s a good player, I mean he should be happy because he does have a brother here so he doesn’t have to look for housing right away so that’s a good part. But you know he’s a good player.
“What I always liked about him is that he’s got a very good work ethic, you know technically he’s very sound, he sacrifices everything for the team, all the places you’ve watched him play, whether he plays for the Mexican national team or Villa Real, you know when he steps on the field you know you’re going to get every ounce of what he has to give in that particular game.”
Jonathan dos Santos will not be available when the Galaxy host the Seattle Sounders on Saturday since he will only be officially added to the roster pending the receipt of his visa and international transfer certificate.
He was named in the Confederations Cup’s ‘Best XI’ after starting in four games and helping his country reach the semi-finals.
Midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos said “I am happy to be here with my family, with this great team, with my brother. It’s a great opportunity for me being in this huge league which is always growing and players of a high level are coming like Villa, my brother, Giovinco, Pirlo, Lampard, more and greater players are coming and I think it’s a great opportunity and I’m going to try to make the most of it.He said
“It’s a great opportunity for me being in this huge league which is always growing and players of a high level are coming like (David) Villa, my brother, (Sebastian) Giovinco, (Andrea) Pirlo, (Frank) Lampard, more and greater players are coming and I think it’s a great opportunity and I’m going to try to make the most of it.
“We always dreamed about it, you know, to be together playing again. Obviously, all the family is happy now that we’re closer to the family. You know he is really excited, I’m excited, he’s going to be a huge player for the team and we’re looking forward to this year and the next year in this club and this city.”
The midfielder began his career with Barcelona in 2009 before joining Villarreal, where he has made nearly 90 league appearances and scored four goals since 2014.
Internationally, Dos Santos has made 29 appearances across all competitions for Mexico.
He joins his brother and Frenchman Romain Alessandrini as Galaxy’s third designated player.
Source: channelstv.com
