CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016) – The LA Galaxy have signed free-agent forward Mike Magee, the club announced today. Magee, who was a two-time MLS Cup winner with the Galaxy playing for the club from 2009-2013, returns to the club after three seasons with the Chicago Fire. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Mike has shown that he is one of the most versatile and effective players in our league,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “He is familiar with our club and will be a key part of our team on and off the field. We look forward to Mike joining to our roster.”
Magee, a 13-year MLS veteran, has scored 64 goals and added 34 assists in 286 appearances throughout his career. The veteran has played for the New York Red Bulls, formerly the MetroStars, the LA Galaxy, and the Chicago Fire. In 2013, he enjoyed the most successful year of his career, scoring 21 goals and adding seven assists during the regular season en route to being named the 2013 Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player, becoming the first-ever Chicago Fire player to ever win the award. He won MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.
The Chicago native was a key part of the Galaxy’s two MLS Cups during his time in LA, scoring 19 goals and adding 11 assists overall for the Galaxy. Additionally, he scored eight goals in just 17 appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs while helping lead LA the MLS Cup titles in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, Magee scored the game winning goals in the MLS Conference Semifinals against New York and the Western Conference Championship against Real Salt Lake, propelling the club to the 2011 MLS Cup, in which he played all 90 minutes. That season, the Galaxy were 8-0-1 in all competitions when Magee scored a goal.
Magee’s first stint in LA ended when he was traded to his hometown Chicago Fire in exchange for Robbie Rogers on May 25, 2013. Magee will now join the Galaxy roster with Rogers, who signed a contract extension earlier this week.
The former MVP originally joined Major League Soccer when he was drafted by the New York MetroStars, now New York Red Bulls, with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 SuperDraft by former head coach Bob Bradley. He made his professional debut vs. Columbus in the season opener and became the youngest player in New York history at the time to make an appearance. Later that year, Magee became the youngest player to score a goal in New York history when he tallied against Columbus in April. During his six-year career in New York (2003-2008), Magee scored 23 goals and added 13 assists in MLS competition.
Internationally, Magee has featured for youth national teams for the U.S., including appearances in the FIFA World Cup for the U-17’s and U-20’s. In 2004, he earned his first call up into senior National Team camp. He was most recently called by USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinnsman to participate in the 2014 edition of the annual January camp.
