LA Galaxy sign Edson Buddle and Mika Vayrynen

March 6, 2015

The Los Angeles Galaxy inked two new players that the club hopes will bring the franchise another title this season, as the team announced that it has signed forward Edson Buddle and midfielder Mika Vayrynen.

Buddle, a former Galaxy player and a 13-year MLS veteran, is one of only eight players in League history to score over 100 goals.  He is expected to offset some of the offensive production lost with the retirement of Landon Donovan this offseason.

“We’re very excited to have Edson return to the Galaxy this season,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “He is an experienced goal scorer in our league who is familiar with the Galaxy. We think he can be a valuable member of our team this season.”

Buddle, 33, was an integral part of the Galaxy’s success, helping lead the club to an MLS Cup (2012) and a Supporters’ Shield trophy (2010) while winning LA Galaxy MVP and Golden Boot in 2010. Throughout his 13-year MLS career, the World Cup veteran has scored 100 goals and notched 30 assists in 292 appearances while winning an MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shield trophies, and a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The striker was originally acquired by the Galaxy in 2008 in a trade with Toronto FC. From 2008-2012, Buddle scored 42 MLS Regular Season goals for the Galaxy in addition to recording six assists. Buddle moved to Germany when he signed a contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 following the Galaxy’s 2010 season, but returned to the Galaxy in 2012 after one year overseas.

As for Vayrynen, the Finnish international will join the Galaxy pending the acquisition of a P-1 Visa and ITC and will occupy an International roster spot.

“Mika is a player that brings additional experience to our midfield,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We saw his abilities during preseason and are confident he can contribute to our team this season. We are happy he will be a part of our group going forward.”

Vayrynen’s professional career began in 1999 when he joined FC Lahti in Finland. After scoring 15 goals in the next two seasons in Finland with Lahti and FC Jokerit, the midfielder signed a contract with SC Heerenveen in the Netherland’s top-flight league, the Eredivisie.

From 2001-2005, he made over 100 appearances while scoring 17 goals for Heerenveen. His play earned him a contract with PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league, where he helped lead the club to Eredivisie to titles in 2005-06 and 2006-07 before returning to Heerenveen again in 2008. After a brief spell with Leeds United in England, he joined Finnish side HJK Helsinki, where he made 40 appearances while scoring five goals since 2012.

Internationally, Vayrynen made his Finland debut in 2002 in a match against South Korea. Since then, he has amassed 59 international appearances while notching five goals and playing in various UEFA Euro Qualifying matches and FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services

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