Will Kuntz, LA Galaxy General Manager:
"Let me kick off by reiterating thanks to people. First and foremost, Marco for being here today. Dirk Hebel, Marco’s agent. My wife Priscilla and daughter Evie for putting up with me talking to Dirk about four times a day for the last three months at 11 o’clock at night until 6 in the morning and the Consul General Andrea Sasse (German Consulate General Los Angeles), who has graciously offered to be here today to translate, and [Dan Beckerman and our ownership of AEG. Dan was tremendously involved in the negotiations as well in helping make sure that we pushed the league at all times to get there]. This is an incredibly special moment for me personally and professionally. It’s been a two-and-a-half-month negotiation but the opportunity to bring in Marco with his pedigree, his quality as a player and most importantly his character and who he is as a person and teammate is incredibly exciting for myself and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Thrilled at having Marco here part of our team and look forward to making great memories with him here at the Galaxy.”
Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy Head Coach:
“I was thrilled that the possibility was even alive. I’ve been around the league long enough to know that we hear the names such as Marco and there’s still a long process that has to take place before these things actually get to this point where we are today. I was excited, we talked about it, we talked about fit, the possibilities that it could potentially bring to the team, and to be honest I stepped back and Will does his work and everybody and Marco and his people and Will was just giving me updates along the way. As things got closer and tighter, started to progress, Marco and I had a conversation and then after that conversation you start to really feel like things are getting to finalization if you will. The feeling after that conversation was wonderful and it felt like everything was going to fit, it was just a matter of getting things across the line and that takes a whole other set of circumstances and work as everybody knows. I was really happy. To be here today, I’m excited about the possibilities of Marco and our group and what we can accomplish."
Marco Reus:
The decision:
“When I decided not to play anymore for Borussia Dortmund, I was thinking ‘OK what can I do?’ and of course I spoke with my family. Of course, I wanted to continue to play football but my decision was to not play in Europe or the Bundesliga so the first contact was in May with the Galaxy and Will and I didn’t need so much time to make my decision. It was really, really good the first impressions, the first feelings with the coach as well so I did my decision very fast.”
Watching the team:
“I actually saw a lot of games during my holidays. At the moment we are at good shape, I think there are 8 games left, the playoffs begins and at the moment everything is good so it’s a long way to get it done and win the championships so I think we have to be focused game by game and we will see. We have really, really good players, young players and I think for the future for the next weeks we have a good team.”
Playing with Riqui Puig:
“You can see straight away the Barcelona school technique. Everything around. I think this will be good, us together, but it’s also important because it is not only me or Riqui. We have a lot of good players on this team. You can only win a championship together and not alone. It is important that we are staying together. It doesn’t matter if you have bad times or good times you can win championships.”
Legacy:
“Of course I’m not the youngest guy anymore but I want to help the youngest players that they are growing up and getting better every day. The small things in football are very important, how you prepare you for the game, after the game. Then of course, the goal for this club to win the championship, to be successful and be with the organization and the club. It’s 10 years since we won the championship so the time is now. I’m ready and I think the team is ready. We are ready.”
