Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy announced Tuesday that
Brazilian duo Juninho and Leonardo will return to the club from Brasileiro
side Sao Paulo, as Juninho rejoins the club on a season-long loan and Leonardo
signs on a free transfer. Per league and club policy, terms of the contracts
were not disclosed.
Juninho has played a major role in the Galaxy's success over the past two
seasons, starting 55 regular season games and six of the club's seven
postseason matches.
The 23-year-old recorded four goals and two assists in 30 regular season games
for Los Angeles in the 2011 season while forming a formidable partnership in
the center of midfield with David Beckham.
Juninho signed a contract extension with Sao Paulo following the 2011 MLS
season and began training with the first team in early January, but he is now
set to return to Southern California ahead of the Galaxy's preseason trip to
Arizona.
Leonardo, who turned 24 on Sunday, enjoyed a central role at the heart of the
Galaxy defense to the start of the 2010 and 2011 seasons, but was limited by
injuries as the season progressed. The six-foot-two Sao Paulo native has made
17 appearances for the Galaxy out of a possible 64 through the 2010 and 2011
seasons.
The Sports Network