L.A. Galaxy signs Giovani dos Santos on a long-term deal

The L.A. Galaxy continues to beef up their playing power with the signing of Mexican international Giovani dos Santos on a long-term deal the club announced on Wednesday.

Signed from Spanish La Liga club Villarreal, he will join former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Irish striker Robbie Keane as one of the Galaxy’s three “designated players.”

Gerrard, who arrived in California a week ago, is expected to make his Major Soccer League debut against the San Jose Earthquake on Friday.

The former England captain had a taste of MLS play style on Tuesday in a U.S. Open Cup game against Real Salt Lake. The L.A. Galaxy lost 1-0.

The 35-year-old midfielder joined the Galaxy after playing his entire 17-season career with English Premier League side Liverpool and is still adjusting to the North American league.

“The buzz is always there, I’ve always said from a young age that the moment the buzz goes is the moment I will stop playing football so I’ve caused the buzz and excitement there. It’s slightly different this derby match from what I’m used to because Liverpool is very aggressive and very intense within the city. It seems like a much more relaxed derby in the build-up but I’m sure once the whistle goes there will be some good tackles and some good battles going on and I’m ready for that. I’ve played in numerous derby matches and I know what they’re all about,” Gerrard said.

Dos Santos, who has also played for Barcelona in La Liga and Tottenham Hotspur in England’s Premier League, scoring three goals for Mexico to help them win the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Though the Galaxy did not disclose the terms of the contract, the LA Times reported that dos Santos will join the team on a four-and-a-half-year deal worth approximately $7 million.

“If all the stars line up the right way, you know there’s another factor that goes along with it. These players are being paid very well and they’re being acquired from clubs so our league does not have have the resources to have a whole lot of these players so each case is unique. There’s not a general trend as how this is going to work down the road,” head coach Bruce Arena said of the spate of international caliber players signing with MLS teams.

Dos Santos, 26, a player still very much in his prime is scheduled to link up with his Galaxy team mates next month, after the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Gerrard who has played against dos Santos acknowledged the Mexican player’s prowess on the field and encouraged him to join the Galaxy in a conversations several weeks earlier.

“I chatted to him a few weeks back and I told him what I thought and I was excited to play with him and now that the signing is done and complete everyone’s happy and we’re all looking forward to giving him a huge welcome and he’s certainly shown he will help the eleven and help the score.”

The L.A. Galaxy play at home on Friday at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California.