Chivas USA continued to bolster their defensive corps with another signing on Friday. Except this time, they did it by keeping one of their own.
The club announced that it's retaining the services of veteran left back Ante Jazic, who had been listed for the 2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Per league and club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Our intention was to always re-sign Ante,” Chivas USA general manager Jose Domene told MLSsoccer.com over the phone on Friday evening. “We were in talks and the process was that if we didn't get an agreement by the time that the deadline comes, then he goes into the list. But that doesn't mean that because he went to the list, that we didn't want to sign him. Our intention was to keep him all the time.”
Jazic was one the Rojiblancos' defensive stalwarts in 2012, appearing in 28 matches and leading the club in assists with seven. Not only did the 35-year-old enjoy the strongest season of his career, but he also re-established himself as a regular on the Canadian national team.
The re-signing of Jazic is the second deal in two weeks Chivas have made to strengthen their back line. On Nov. 23, the Rojiblancos acquired veteran right back James Riley from the Montreal Impact.
Adam Serrano covers Chivas USA for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at adam.m.serrano@gmail.com.
