Xavier joins Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxynull
Former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier has signed for Major
League Soccer outfit the Los Angeles Galaxy.
He will be eligible to make his first-team debut once the Secondary
MLS Transfer Window opens on June 15.
Xavier will link up with former England captain David Beckham, who
is due to move to the Galaxy from Real Madrid at the end of the
current Spanish season.
The 34-year-old former Liverpool and Everton player joins on a free
transfer after he was released by Premiership club Middlesbrough
last week.
Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas told the club's
official website: 'Abel brings immense experience and a wonderful
personality to our team.
'He's a great defender and we're excited that he's coming to
LA.'
Xavier had a turbulent spell at the Riverside after moving on
transfer deadline day in August 2005.
In October that year he was banned from playing football for 12
months after failing a drugs test.
He rejoined Middlesbrough in November 2006 after serving the ban
and made 20 appearances in 2006-07 before manager Gareth Southgate
decided Xavier was surplus to requirements.
Xavier said: 'I'd like to thank Alexi Lalas, Frank Yallop and MLS
for this opportunity.
'Soccer is my life and I'm excited to continue my career in LA.
Soccer in the United States continues to grow and I'm proud to be a
part of it.
'I'm coming to win. With the great team and wonderful fans at the
LA Galaxy everything is possible. I bring heart, hunger, desire and
passion. This is me today, tomorrow, and always.'
Head coach Frank Yallop added: 'This is a terrific signing for us
and he will bring so much experience, leadership and ability to the
team.
'People of his quality are not often available for us to sign, so
we are really happy that he is going to join us.'
The Mozambique-born player has 20 caps for Portugal, scoring
twice.
