Official: LA Galaxy transfer Rayan Raveloson to Ligue 1's Auxerre

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

UPDATE (Aug. 4, 2:15 ET) – The LA Galaxy have transferred midfielder Rayan Raveloson to Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre in France, the club announced Thursday. 

Per The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio, LA can receive up to roughly $2 million in the deal. Concurrently, the Galaxy have signed FC Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig as they gear up for an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs push.

“We are thankful and appreciative of Rayan’s contributions to the LA Galaxy,” head coach Greg Vanney said in a release. “We wish him the best as he returns back to Ligue 1 for the next phase of his career.”

Raveloson, 25, had eight goals and five assists in 44 regular-season appearances since signing with the Galaxy from now-Ligue 1 side Troyes in May 2021.

On the international level, Raveloson has one goal in 18 games played for Madagascar.

“This transfer provides flexibility on our roster as we enter the final stretch of the season,” said technical director Jovan Kirovski. “We are appreciative of Rayan’s time at the club and we wish him all the best in France.”

ORIGINAL (Aug. 3, 8:30 ET) – The LA Galaxy are nearing a deal that'd send midfielder Rayan Raveloson to Ligue 1 side Auxerre, as reported by The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio and teased on social media by the French club.

The move would come just over 14 months after LA acquired the Madagascar international from now-Ligue 1 side Troyes before they earned promotion to France’s top division.

Per Tenorio, Raveloson’s exit would coincide with widespread reports that the Galaxy are nearing a completed deal for FC Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig, opening space for the LaLiga talent.

The end goal, on paper, looks to be LA establishing a first-choice midfield group of Puig in an advanced role alongside Mark Delgado and Gaston Brugman in deeper-lying spots. Delgado arrived during the offseason in a trade with Toronto FC, while Brugman joined in early July from Italian Serie B side Parma.

Raveloson, 25, has eight goals and five assists across 44 regular-season games (43 starts) with LA since arriving last spring. Often playing in a box-to-box role and drifting upfield, he’s also attempted 73 shots.

LA, five-time MLS Cup champions, are maneuvering after making the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs once from 2017-21. They’re currently ninth in the Western Conference table with a dozen matches remaining in their 2022 campaign.

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