The LA Galaxy bolstered their midfield last week with the signing of veteran Finnish midfielder Mika Vayrynen.
The deal became official on Friday just hours before the Galaxy opened their 2015 campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire. Vayrynen could be eligible to suit up for LA when they hit the road to take on the Portland Timbers this Sunday pending the club’s receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
An experienced central midfielder with stints in England, Finland and the Netherlands on his resume, the 33-year-old joins the club after a successful trial during the team’s European tour. Vayrynen appeared in both preseason matches during their trip, even scoring the game-winner in LA’s 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers.
After spending the last two seasons with HJK Helsinki, the Finland international with 58 caps to his name, is eager to showcase his talents for the Galaxy.
“I feel great. This is a great opportunity for me to come here. I had wanted to come to MLS for a few years now, and when I heard about this chance, I jumped at it,” Vayrynen told recently LAGalaxy.com. “I’m really looking forward this opportunity. I want to bring experience, and hopefully I can help the team in the coming games.”
During his two matches with Galaxy in preseason, It was Vayrynen’s technical ability that most impressed the Galaxy staff and his new teammates, who believe that the midfielder will be a major asset in 2015.
“He’s a very smart player and very experienced,” said midfielder Stefan Ishizaki. “He has good vision and good technique too. He’s a very good player who will help us.”
Added fellow central midfielder Baggio Husidic, “He’s a stylish player. He’s technical and I think that he’ll fit in really well.”
Vayrynen will join the likes of Juninho, Kenney Walker and Husidic as options in the center of the park before this summer’s arrival of Designated Player signing Steven Gerrard. Throughout the preseason, Husidic and Walker seemed the most likely candidates to play alongside the Brazilian, but according to Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, the Finnish midfielder will compete for a starting role.
“We have a number of candidates. We had some injuries in preseason so I think that position will change in the first month or two of the season before we get a full time partnership going,” Arena said. “Mika will be a new candidate to play in that position as well.”
That positional battle is something that Vayrynen is already relishing as he looks to make an impact right away for his new club.
“We have a lot of good players here who are fighting for two or three spots in the midfield,” Vayrynen said. “I hope to do my best in training and hopefully get minutes.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
