It was all smiles for Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme and Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena on Firday afternoon at StubHub Center.
By Ivan Yeo
One thing you can never question about the LA Galaxy are their ambitions.
Whether it’s winning MLS Cups, striving for success in the CONCACAF Champions League, or simply building its brand, the Galaxy have always shown that they are always willing to push the proverbial envelope.
2016 promises to be no different for LA. Galaxy unveiled their two latest big-name signings on Friday in left back Ashley Cole and center back Jelle Van Damme, with another big name in defensive midfielder Nigel De Jong on his way.
“These two players check all the boxes,” Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said. “They’re good people; good players and I think they’re going to contribute greatly to the team this year.”
Cole comes in with the most pedigree on his resume. Cole has been a stalwart at the left back spot in England, first at Arsenal, then with Chelsea and also the England National Team, where he appeared in three World Cups for the Three Lions. Cole recently played for AS Roma, though he played sparingly for the Serie A side.
Cole however drew the ire of MLS fans back in 2014 when he first signed with Roma, where he remarked that “I had offers from the U.S., but I’m not ready to relax on the beach yet.” Cole remarks back then suggested Cole was in a long line of people to suggest MLS was nothing more than a retirement home for players such as Cole’s stature, though Cole suggested that would not be the case.
“I was born to play hard and win things,” Cole said. “I don’t come here with anything different. My mindset is to come and win trophies.”
Van Damme’s career has seen him play in three countries across Europe. Van Damme’s longest stint with one team was his last stint, where he played for Standard Liege from 2011 until 2016 and during that time, earned 205 caps and scored 222 goals for the Belgian side. Van Damme will have some big shoes to fill, as he will replace Omar Gonzalez at center back, something that isn’t relatively easy given Gonzalez’s success during his seven seasons at StubHub Center.
“I’ll bring everything that I have,” Van Damme said. “I’m a physical player. I’ve been welcomed by the team and everyone, there’s a lot of respect in the locker room.”
De Jong’s signing was not made official until Wednesday. De Jong was not a part of LA’s press conference, but Arena said De Jong is expected to arrive sometime during the weekend.
