The LA Galaxy officially announced on Thursday the signing of Mexico international midfielder Jonathan dos Santos from Spanish club Villarreal.
Dos Santos, 27, was signed as the Galaxy’s third designated player along with his brother, Giovani, and French winger Romain Alessandrini.
It was a busy Thursday for the Galaxy. The five-time MLS Cup winners fired head coach Curt Onalfo before hiring Sigi Schmid, who was in charge of LA from 1999 to 2004. Schmid was relieved of his duties by the Seattle Sounders nearly one year ago to the day, and will face Seattle on Saturday night.
Expansion side Los Angeles FC – who will begin MLS play in 2018 – responded to the news by appointing Bob Bradley as its coach just hours after the Galaxy announced the hiring of Schmid.
A few clubs were interested in dos Santos, including Mexican giants Club America. Coach Miguel Herrera confirmed that America made a bid, but the Galaxy won the negotiations.
Dos Santos is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, recording 34 appearances for Villarreal as it finished fifth in La Liga. He also participated in four of five games for Mexico at this summer’s Confederations Cup.
[relatedlinks]
