Giovani dos Santos understands that he’s joining in LA Galaxy team with lofty expectations, and that suits the club’s newest Designated Player just fine.
In fact, he’s relishing the challenge to lead Major League Soccer’s flagship club.
The LA Galaxy signed the Mexican international last week ending a near five-year pursuit for Dos Santos’ signature. After an injury-marred season with Spain’s Villarreal last year, Dos Santos believes that the time is right for him to make the move to Los Angeles.
“I think it was the right time. They had been after me for the past five years if I’m not mistaken and I think that I am at my prime and I want to take advantage and enjoy playing soccer and I think I will have that in Los Angeles,” dos Santos told LAGalaxy.com. “There’s a lot of Mexicans in Los Angeles and I will be a lot closer to home so obviously for me it will give me a lot of pride to be able to play in the CONCACAF region. I am happy and I want to start playing and feel the support from all the fans.”
Despite his struggles in Spain a year ago, Dos Santos brings a remarkable pedigree to StubHub Center. The product of FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy is an established player on the Mexican national team, Dos Santos has accumulated 90 appearances and 17 goals for El Tricolor.
In recent years, the forward has moved around Europe with stops at Tottenham Hotspur, Galatasaray, Real Mallorca and Villarreal among others. But at the age of 26, Dos Santos still has his best years ahead of him.
“I really want to win titles and I know that I’m coming in the prime of my career. I want to give it my best. I want to be one of the best players in MLS and I know that I have to work hard,” Dos Santos said. “I have clear objectives and I know that a lot of people have doubted why I am coming to MLS and Los Angeles. It’s clear to me that it’s a great league. I have talked to [Robbie Keane] and he has said wonders about the league so I think I took the best decision.”
As the Galaxy set their sights on another MLS Cup, and the lofty title of being the top team in North America, Dos Santos believes that he’s ready contribute right away.
“I have always said it; I’m here to give it my best. I know that I have to give it all in order to help the team win a lot of titles. I want to be an important player for the club and I will continue to work hard every day and win my spot on the team and of course earn great results with the LA Galaxy,” Dos Santos said. “As a player, the project they offered me was an important one. I want to win titles and what better way than by coming to LA and be close to all my people with great players like Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and a great head coach like Bruce Arena.
“I think I chose the best decision and I really hope to enjoy my time there.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
