Giovani Dos Santos signs for Los Angeles Galaxy

Giovani dos Santos has reached a four-year agreement with Los Angeles Galaxy, who FC Barcelona play in their first preseason fixture on July 21. The Mexican is the second big-name signing by the Californian outfit after former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard joined the club earlier this summer.

Barça past

Dos Santos is a player with Barça in his blood. He rose up the youth ranks at the club after joining the academy in 2003/04. Four years later his dream came true, and he made his first team debut alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Henry and Messi. He soon won Frank Rijkaard’s favour and amassed 37 appearances and 4 goals.

Despite his successful debut year, ‘Gio’ decided to try new pastures, and left for Tottenham Hotspur. But he never managed to settle in North London and from the 2008/09 season began spending periods on loan to different clubs, first at English side Ipswich Town, then to Galatasaray in Turkey and finally back in Spain with Racing Santander.

He made his definitive return to Spanish football in 2012/13, when Mallorca secured the rights to the player, and a year later he was back on the mainland with Villarreal. After two seasons there, he’s now packing his bags for a new stateside experience in Los Angeles.