The LA Galaxy have signed French midfielder Romain Alessandrini as a Designated Player, the club announced today. Alessandrini, 27, joins after spending his professional career playing in France, most recently for Olympique de Marseille in France’s top-flight division, Ligue 1. He will occupy an International roster spot and officially join the Galaxy’s roster pending the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
“We are very excited to add a talented, attacking winger like Romain to our roster,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Peter Vagenas. “He is in the prime of his career and has spent time playing at a top division in Europe. Romain will play a valuable role in our team’s success this season and we look forward to him joining our roster ahead of the 2017 campaign.”
Alessandrini will join the LA Galaxy for training during the preseason campaign at a later date. The LA Galaxy will announce Alessandrini’s first training session and media availability accordingly.
Alessandrini joins the Galaxy after nearly 10 years of playing professional in France for various teams, most recently in France’s Ligue 1 for Marseille. In Ligue 1, France’s top professional division, Alessandrini totaled 31 goals and 21 assists. Prior to his time in France’s top league, Alessandrini featured for FC Gueugnon and Clermont Foot Auvergne 63.
The French winger’s professional career began when he joined Marseille’s youth academy in 1999, spending six years there before he joined Gueugnon in France. In 2008, he made his professional debut as a teenager for Gueugnon and went on to make over 30 appearances in France’s third division. In 2010, Alessandrini earned a contract with Clermont Foot in Ligue 2. In three years for the team, he made over 70 appearances and scored 24 goals with 11 assists in all competitions. His success in Ligue 2 saw him sign with Stade Rennais FC in the first division of France.
While in Ligue 1, Alessandrini scored 20 goals and added 12 assists as a member of Stade Rennais from 2012-2014 before signing with top French side Marseille. As a member of his hometown side Marseille, the 27-year-old tallied 11 goals and nine assists with the club prior to joining the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Internationally, Alessandrini was named to France’s international squad in 2013 but did not make an appearance after withdrawing due to a minor injury.
