The LA Galaxy have signed veteran defender Tony Sanneh. The 37-year old two-time MLS Cup winner has spent the entire preseason training with the Galaxy, while also appearing in all of the club's preseason games, including both games at the Pan-Pacific Championship.
"We are pleased to be able to add a proven defender such as Tony," Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. "He is an experienced player who has played at the highest level in the game and knows what it takes to win the MLS Cup. He will contribute to our team immediately both on and off the field of play".
Sanneh's MLS career began in May 1996 when D.C. United signed him from the Minnesota Thunder of the A-League. He went on to appear in 71 games in three seasons with United, helping the club reach the MLS Cup three times, winning two, as well as winning a U.S. Open Cup title and the 1998 Interamerican Cup.
Following the 1998 MLS season, Sanneh moved abroad, signing with Hertha Berlin of the German Bundesliga. He spent two and a half seasons in Berlin, appearing in more than 40 games and helping lead his club to a Champions League berth in his first season and a UEFA Cup spot during his final season there. Prior to the start of the 2001-02 season, Sanneh signed with fellow Bundesliga club FC Nürnberg. He spent three seasons with Nürnberg, appearing in more than 50 games, despite missing more than a year as a result of injury.
Sanneh returned to MLS in August 2004, signing with the Columbus Crew. He appeared in six regular season games and two postseason games, helping the Crew win that season's Supporter's Shield as the best team in the regular season. He was then traded to Chicago in January 2005 and spent two seasons with the Fire, appearing in 31 games for the club. He was a part of the Fire's 2006 U.S. Open Cup championship team, tallying an assist in the Open Cup Final as Chicago beat LA 3-1 at Toyota Park. However, he did not sign with the club following that season and joined Colorado in August 2007, playing in nine games for the club before sitting out the 2008 MLS season.
"I knew that I still had the ability and desire to play the game, I just had to see if my body would hold up after the time off, but I've been happy with my progress throughout the preseason," Sanneh said. "I can't thank Bruce and all the coaches enough for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to making my Galaxy debut on Sunday against my former club, D.C. United."
In addition to his club career, Sanneh was capped 43 times with the U.S. National Team between 1997-2005, scoring three goals and adding four assists. A member of the U.S. squad at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea, Sanneh started and played the full 90 minutes in all five games as the Red, White and Blue reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930.
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 20% 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.
