Mexico international Giovani dos Santos (pictured) joined the LA Galaxy on July 15, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
CARSON, California -- The LA Galaxy announced Wednesday the signing of Mexico international Giovani dos Santos from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal. He is expected to join the club – which already boasts Ireland international Robbie Keane and former England standout Steven Gerrard on its star-studded roster -- after Mexico completes its participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. “Giovani is a special player,” said LA Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena. “He has experience and success competing at the highest level and we believe he will only continue to develop. We are happy to add him to our roster and have confidence he can be an integral part of our success going forward.” Dos Santos, 26, has spent the last two seasons with Villarreal after spells in Spain (Barcelona, Mallorca and Racing Santander), England (Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich Town) and Turkey (Galatasaray). The 81-time capped attacker has played for the national team since, appearing in three CONCACAF Gold Cups (2009 – MVP and champion, 2011 - champion, 2015), two FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014) and one FIFA Confederations Cup (2013). He’s also won a gold medal in the Olympic Football Tournament (2012), was part of a FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning squad (2005) and competed in the FIFA U-20 World Cup (2007). At the age of 11, Dos Santos joined Barcelona’s Academy at the famed La Masia, where he had an immediate impact and helped lead his club to numerous youth title. He made his first professional appearance for FC Barcelona in 2006, scoring in his debut against AGF Aarhus in a friendly. A year later came his competitive debut against Athletic Bilbao at the age of 18. He’s also played in six UEFA Champions League and 17 Europa League games. The LA Galaxy will be participating in the 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, opening its campaign at home against Caribbean champion Central FC on August 6.
