The LA Galaxy have acquired defender Pele van Anholt, the club announced today. Van Anholt, 26, is a Dutch fullback who joins the Galaxy after most recently playing for Willem II in the Eredivisie, Netherlands’ first-division league.
“Pele is a talented and versatile player who will immediately add quality and experience to our defense,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Pete Vagenas. “Our staff did an excellent job at identifying this player and executing the signing to improve our roster and we look forward to him joining our squad.”
The Dutch defender arrived in Los Angeles this week and is scheduled to train with the team on Thursday, July 13. Van Anholt, along with Head Coach Curt Onalfo, will be available to media following the team’s training at StubHub Center on Thursday, July 13, which begins at 9:30 a.m. PT on StubHub Center Field 1. He will be available for selection when the Galaxy host Manchester United at StubHub Center this Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. PT (ESPN, ESPN Deportes).
“We are excited to welcome Pele to Los Angeles,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Curt Onalfo. “He has earned a lot of experience in Netherlands’ top division and proven to be a productive player. We are confident that will suit him well in our league.”
Van Anholt made 24 appearances for Willem II in 2017, primarily at the right back position. Prior to his one-year stint with Willem II, he spent six seasons with SC Heerenveen, also of the Eredivisie. While there, he made over 100 appearances for the club, in addition to a one-year loan to Netherlands second-division side FC Emmen during the 2010-11 season.
Born in Sneek, Netherlands, Van Anholt spent time with the CAB Bolsward and SC Heerenveen academies.
