SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes have announced that the team has acquired former San Jose defender Kelly Gray and forward Jovan Kirovski from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for goalkeeper Preston Burpo and a fourth round draft pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Both Gray and Kirovski will be available for the Quakes match against the Houston Dynamo on Thursday, May 22 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
"We have added two proven MLS players at key positions," said Earthquakes General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle. "Kelly had a great season here in 2005 and he will provide a good option both in the back and midfield. Jovan has had a distinguished career around the world and we feel that he will make an immediate offensive impact for our team."
Gray, 27, is in his seventh season in MLS after a standout career at the University of Portland. He has played in 139 games and recorded seven goals and nine assists in his career, playing mostly as a right back or a center midfielder. This season he has appeared in two games with the Rapids.
The Leigh High School graduate spent the first three and a half years of his career with the Chicago Fire, starting over 20 games in his first three seasons. He was traded to the Earthquakes on June 13, 2005 and helped the Quakes post a 15-1-4 record during his 20 games with the team. He scored a goal in his debut with San Jose on June 18 and notched two assists with San Jose that season. In 2006, he appeared in 18 matches and helped Houston capture the 2006 MLS Cup Championship. After beginning the 2007 season with Houston, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Galaxy and he appeared in six games.
The University of Portland All-American has also played for the United States U20 and U23 National Teams. He played in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championships.
Kirovski, 32, started his MLS career in 2004, after spending a number of years playing at the top levels of European soccer. The California native has played for top clubs Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon, beginning in 1992 with Manchester United. After four seasons with the English power, he moved to Dortmund in 1996 and helped the German side win both the 1997 UEFA Champions League and the World Club Championship. He is the only American-born player to win the Champions League. After spending time with Sporting Lisbon, he played for both Crystal Palace and Birmingham City in England.
He arrived in the United States in 2004 and has since made 109 appearances in MLS, scoring 24 goals and notching 10 assists. He scored 12 goals in two seasons with the Galaxy in 2004 and 2005, before joining Colorado near the end of the 2005 season. He appeared in over 26 games in both 2006 and 2007 for Colorado.
With the U.S. National Team, he has earned 59 caps and scored nine goals after beginning his international career in 1994. He has appeared in World Cup qualifying, Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Burpo did not appear in a match this season with the Quakes, but appeared in three reserve league games.
Transaction - San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) - San Jose Earthquakes acquire D Kelly Gray and F Jovan Kirovski from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for GK Preston Burpo and a fourth round draft pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
Kelly Gray #22
Position: Defender
Born: April 7, 1981 in Palo Alto, CA
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Height: 6-2 Weight: 185
Last Club: Colorado Rapids
Jovan Kirovski #77
Position: Forward
Born: March 18, 1976 in Escondido, CA
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Height: 6-1 Weight: 180
Last Club: Colorado Rapids
