CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014) – LA Galaxy II announced today that the club has signed forward Kainoa Bailey from German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and French defender Jason Bli on a free transfer. A 19-year-old American forward, Bailey joins Los Dos after signing his first professional contract with the German club last year. Bli, 20, joins the Galaxy II on a free transfer after spending the last season with L'Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien in France’s fourth tier of competition. Additionally, LA Galaxy II also announced on Tuesday that the club has released defender Eder Arreola.
“The addition of Kainoa Bailey to our roster brings a different dimension to our attack,” said LA Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo. “Kainoa is a young, talented player who is very fast in the attack and we are excited to strengthen our roster by bringing him to LA.”
“Jason is another great addition to our roster, and we are excited to see him join the team,” said Onalfo. “Bli is a skillful player and we are sure he will add great depth to our backline.”
“Finally, we want to thank Eder for his time with the club,” added Onalfo. “Eder was a hard worker and a good pro during his time with the Galaxy II, and we want to thank him for all of his efforts on and off the field. We wish him the best moving forward in his career.”
Bailey, a Nevada native, joined Bayer Leverkusen’s Under-23 team after signing a professional contract with the club last summer. Additionally, Bailey has past U.S. Soccer Development Academy ties. Before playing abroad, Bailey played for the Academy teams of two MLS clubs – D.C. United and Real Salt Lake.
On the international front, Bailey has represented the United States at the Under-20 level. Most recently, Bailey participated in a U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team training camp at North Carolina State University last May.
A product of the Paris Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid academies, French defender Bli spent the last season with L'Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien in France’s fourth division before joining Los Dos on a free transfer. Before the start of the USL PRO season earlier this year, Bli was on trial with the Galaxy II, playing at left back in the team’s inaugural match against the Fresno Fuego last February. Before his stint with L'Entente SSG, the French defender spent a season with Paris FC, making 11 appearances for the third division French club.
Arreola, 22, made 11 appearances for the LA Galaxy II this season, playing 492 minutes for the club. Arreola signed with the Galaxy II before the start of the 2014 USL PRO campaign. Before joining Los Dos, Arreola spent the previous year with Mexican Liga de Ascenso side Delfines del Carmen. Drafted by the Houston Dynamo after starring for UCLA during four years, Arreola helped United States Adult Soccer Association club Cal FC reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2012.
LA Galaxy II Season Ticket Memberships begin at just $6 per game. For more information on LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II memberships, or group and single tickets, visit www.lagalaxy.com or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
The complete LA Galaxy II’s 2014 USL PRO schedule can be found here.
