<
>

LA Galaxy sign U.S. midfielder Joe Corona from Liga MX's Tijuana

play
The best saves from MLS in Week 1 (1:15)

Major League Soccer is back and the goalkeepers were at their best throughout the league in week 1. (1:15)

The LA Galaxy have signed United States international midfielder Joe Corona on a permanent deal, the club announced on Wednesday.

"Joe is an experienced and quality player who can immediately address an area of need for our club," Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese said. "I am familiar with Joe from his time in Liga MX and think he can be an impactful player on our roster. We are excited to welcome Joe to our team and look forward to his contributions."

The 28-year-old won the Liga MX title with Club America on loan from Club Tijuana last season, but didn't feature much this season on return to Xolos under Oscar Pareja -- partly due to injuries -- and had recently expressed an interest in playing in MLS.

Galaxy exercised their option to buy out the contract of Mexico international midfielder Giovani dos Santos last Friday, freeing up room on the roster for Corona. "One or two" more signings can be expected from the Galaxy in this current transfer window, according to one source.

The Galaxy used TAM money to complete Corona's signing.

Versatile central midfielder Corona could be available to make his Galaxy debut as early as this Saturday away at FC Dallas.

Bilingual Los Angeles native Corona won two Liga MX and two Ascenso MX titles in his time playing in Mexico and is thought to be delighted at moving to a city in which he has family.

Corona hasn't played for the U.S. national team since June 2018, but was part of both the 2013 and 2017 Gold Cup winning squads for the Stars and Stripes.

The Galaxy also announced the signing of 20-year-old French defender Diedie Traore on Wednesday, after acquiring an international spot from Columbus Crew SC. Traore played at LA Galaxy II last season, after being spotted at an open tryout for the club in January 2018. He spent 2017 in Lithuania's top division with FK Utenis Utena.