COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Crew General Manager Mark McCullers announced today that the club has acquired the rights to midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi from the Los Angeles Galaxy, in exchange for a conditional third-round selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
In his lone season with the Galaxy, Miglioranzi appeared in three regular-season games and played 90 minutes in an exhibition game against Mexican First Division club Necaxa on July 12, 2006. He then played the entire 90 minutes for the Crew, as a guest player, in its 2-0 victory over CSD Municipal of Guatemala in an international exhibition on Nov. 8, 2006.
"Stefani is an experienced midfielder who has played overseas for many years, in England," said Crew Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "We will look to him to add stability and a veteran presence to our young midfield."
Prior to signing with Los Angeles as a discovery player, the 28-year-old Miglioranzi had most recently played for Swindon Town FC of the English First Division after a stint with Portsmouth FC. The former St. Johns University All-American appeared in 134 games with Swindon Town from 2002-06, scoring nine career goals.
Miglioranzi moved with his family to the United States from Brazil at the age of 12 and went on to star at St. Johns, helping the Red Storm to the 1996 NCAA Championship. Drafted by the Chicago Fire with the No. 36 pick overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft, Miglioranzi opted to sign with Portsmouth following a trial with Everton.
Plagued by injuries at Portsmouth, Miglioranzi signed with Swindon Town in July of 2002 and proceeded to stand out for the club over the next four seasons.
The Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it will open its 12th season overall and ninth in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, April 7, when it plays host to the Eastern Conference-rival New York Red Bulls.
TRANSACTION: The Columbus Crew (MLS) acquired the rights to M Stefani Miglioranzi from the L.A. Galaxy, in exchange for a conditional third-round selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
