The LA Galaxy Tuesday acquired midfielder Dema Kovalenko from Real Salt Lake in exchange for allocation money and a conditional draft pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. A 10-year MLS veteran and former MLS Cup champion, Kovalenko joins the Galaxy after spending the 2008 season with Real Salt Lake. The 31-year old New York native has appeared in 220 games during his MLS career, making 197 starts while adding 37 goals and 38 assists. In addition to the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, Kovalenko has also spent time in MLS with the Chicago Fire, D.C. United and New York Red Bulls, where he played under current Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena, and overseas with FC St. Pauli in Germany and FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya in the Ukraine, where he was born.
"I have the greatest respect for Dema. He is a very good player and a winner," Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "His work ethic and competitiveness will be a real plus for our team. I'm thrilled to have Dema as a member of the LA Galaxy."
A four-year star at Indiana University, Kovalenko began his MLS career in 1999 with the Chicago Fire. In 2000 he had his most productive season on the field, tallying a career-high 10 goals in the regular season and adding three more in the postseason to help lead the Fire to the MLS Cup final. He remained in Chicago until the start of the 2003 season when he joined D.C. United, with who he won his first-ever MLS Cup in 2004.
Following the 2005 season, Kovalenko returned to his native Ukraine, signing a contract with FC Metalurh Zaporizhzhya in the top division of Ukrainian soccer. However, he was back in MLS in August 2006 when he was the first player signed by new-New York Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena. Kovalenko would remain with the Red Bulls through the 2007 season before joining Real Salt Lake in February 2008. He appeared in 22 games for RSL last year, scoring one goal and adding two assists, while adding a goal in three postseason games for the club.
The LA Galaxy are now accepting deposits for the 2009 season, which kicks off at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 when the club hosts D.C. United at The Home Depot Center. A non-refundable deposit of 25% per seat secures your place for each 2009 Galaxy regular season game, plus great benefits including exclusive events with the team, special season seat holder gifts, and much more. Call 1-877-3GALAXY or visit www.lagalaxy.com for more details or to purchase your 2009 Galaxy season seats.
