LA Galaxy sign defender Giancarlo Gonzalez from Bologna

The Los Angeles  Galaxy announced that the club has signed defender Giancarlo Gonzalez from Bologna in Italy’s Serie A utilizing Targeted Allocation Money.  The 31-year-old Costa Rica International joins the LA Galaxy after playing in Italy’s top-flight division since 2014.

“Giancarlo is a very experienced and talented central defender that we believe will strengthen our backline,” said Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. “He is familiar with MLS and he has played at the highest levels across the world. We are excited to add him to our roster and look forward to integrating him into our team.”

With the team's recent emphasis on acquiring defensive players, the squad could now use another dynamic offensive talent to bolster their attack.

The LA Galaxy acquired Gonzalez after trading with Orlando City SC and Toronto FC to move into the #1 Allocation Ranking.

Specifically, the Galaxy traded the #11 2019 Allocation Ranking, $300,000 in 2019 Target Allocation Money, and $100,000 in 2020 Target Allocation Money to Orlando City SC in exchange for the #2 2019 Allocation Ranking.  The Galaxy also traded the #2 2019 Allocation Ranking and a 2020 Natural 1st Round SuperDraft Pick to Toronto FC in exchange for the #1 2019 Allocation Ranking.

Gonzalez has made over 100 appearances in Serie A since 2014 while playing for Palermo and Bologna. In 2014, he had a standout year as a member of Columbus Crew SC, the same season he represented Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he led his team to finish first in Group D ahead of Uruguay, Italy, and England before advancing all the way to the Quarter Finals of the tournament. He again represented his country in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Prior to joining Columbus in 2014, Gonzalez played professionally in the first divisions of Norway and Costa Rica from 2009-2013.

Internationally, Gonzalez has made over 70 appearances for Costa Rica, including competitions across the FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Concacaf Gold Cup matches, and Copa Centroamericana contests. He originally made his he made his international debut for Costa Rica against Slovakia in 2010.

Gonzalez and the LA Galaxy return home this week for a contest against the Philadelphia Union at Dignity Health Sports Park this Saturday, April 13 (7:30 p.m. PT; Spectrum SportsNet).

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services