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Dema Kovalenko Joins LA Galaxy
Real Salt Lake have sent midfield hardman Dema Kovalenko to the Los Angeles Galaxy in return for allocation money and a future draft pick.
Jan 15, 2009 8:35:03 PM
Veteran midfielder Dema Kovalenko has joined the Los Angeles Galaxy. He was acquired via trade with Real Salt Lake with allocation money and a 2011 draft pick going the other way.
For LA, Kovalenko could be a key component of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena's rebuilding project. The team shuffled through central midfielders in 2008 but could never seem to find a consistent player for the important position. Even defender Greg Vanney and attacker Landon Donovan were deployed in the middle of the park at times, with mixed results.
At 31, Kovalenko has the experience in the league needed to run a game, but still has the determination and drive to battle when things go awry.
For Salt Lake, the move lets them focus on other areas of the pitch. With Will Johnson and captain Kyle Beckerman providing similar services to that of Kovalenko, they can now use the allocation money to attract the left-sided midfielder head coach Jason Kreis wants to balance out his squad.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Earlier, Galaxy acquired the rights to Mike Magee from the New York Red Bulls, who can also play in central midfield.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
For LA, Kovalenko could be a key component of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena's rebuilding project. The team shuffled through central midfielders in 2008 but could never seem to find a consistent player for the important position. Even defender Greg Vanney and attacker Landon Donovan were deployed in the middle of the park at times, with mixed results.
At 31, Kovalenko has the experience in the league needed to run a game, but still has the determination and drive to battle when things go awry.
For Salt Lake, the move lets them focus on other areas of the pitch. With Will Johnson and captain Kyle Beckerman providing similar services to that of Kovalenko, they can now use the allocation money to attract the left-sided midfielder head coach Jason Kreis wants to balance out his squad.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Earlier, Galaxy acquired the rights to Mike Magee from the New York Red Bulls, who can also play in central midfield.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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