The LA Galaxy have signed French defender Michael Ciani, the club announced today. Ciani, 33, joins the Galaxy after a career in Europe that included stints in France’s Ligue 1, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A. He will occupy an International roster spot and officially be added to the Galaxy’s roster following the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
Ciani will begin training with the Galaxy next week and be available to media for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 5 following the team’s training session at StubHub Center, which begins at 10 a.m. PT.
“We targeted and acquired Michael as a player who can immediately strengthen our backline,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “He is a valuable signing that will be an important piece of our roster. We are happy to add him to our team and look forward to him joining the squad next week.”
Ciani spent the majority of his career playing in Ligue 1, France’s top-flight division, where he made over 200 appearances, including over 100 appearances each for FC Lorient and FC Bordeaux. In addition to Lorient and Bordeaux, Ciani has represented SS Lazio in Italy, RSC Charleroi in Belgium and RCD Espanyol in Spain and has played in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Internationally, he has also played for various French youth teams and has appeared on the senior France National Team.
“Michael is a strong, smart and talented player that we think can quickly integrate into our locker room and adapt to our league,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He has spent time playing at the highest level during his career and his experience will be an asset to our team on and off the field.”
The defender’s professional career began in 2002 when he joined RC Paris in France. He then played for Charleroi SC and CS Sedan before signing with FC Lorient in France’s Ligue 1, where he played for three seasons, making over 132 appearances in all competitions. In 2009, he joined six-time Ligue 1 champions FC Bordeaux, amassing 116 appearances, 10 goals and two assists over three seasons, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League
His time at Bordeaux ended in 2012 when he transferred to Italy’s Serie A to play for SS Lazio, marshalling the backline during three seasons. After brief stints in Portugal with Sporting CP and Spain with RCD Espanyol, Ciani returned to France’s FC Lorient again, playing during the 2016-17 season before joining the Galaxy.
Internationally, Ciani featured for France youth sides before earning his first senior cap with the France national team in 2010, when he started in a match against Spain alongside Theirry Henry, Franck Ribéry, Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna and Hugo Lloris at Stade de France.
The LA Galaxy are in action tonight when they host the Colorado Rapids at StubHub Center live on Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes (8 p.m. PT).
