CARSON, Calif. (AP) — The LA Galaxy have signed midfielder Rayan Raveloson to a three-year contract, adding the fourth product of France's top leagues to their roster in the past two months.
The five-time Major League Soccer champions announced Raveloson's signing Thursday. The deal includes a one-year option.
The 24-year-old Raveloson started 34 of 38 games this season with ES Troyes AC, which secured promotion to France's top flight by winning the Ligue 2 title two weeks ago. He has six goals and six assists in 89 career games with Troyes, but his contract expired this summer.
Raveloson was born in Madagascar, which he has represented internationally with 10 appearances.
“Rayan is a talented, young and versatile midfielder who was a key player in leading his team to a title in France this season,” Galaxy general manager Dennis Te Kloese said. “We think he brings a valuable experience and skillset to our midfield and will be a positive addition to our team."
Raveloson joins the Galaxy's recent French invasion along with designated player Kévin Cabral, winger Samuel Grandsir and defender Séga Coulibaly. Grandsir and Cabral recently made their debuts for the Galaxy, while Coulibaly is still sorting out the visas necessary to move stateside.
French forward Romain Alessandrini also played three impressive but injury-plagued seasons for the Galaxy before leaving for China in early 2020.
First-year coach Greg Vanney has the Galaxy off to an impressive 4-1-0 start, putting them second in the overall MLS standings. The Galaxy have missed the MLS playoffs in three of the past four seasons, but their thorough roster overhaul also included the addition of Spanish midfielder Victor Vázquez, defenders Jorge Villafaña and Derrick Williams, and English goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
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