CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy confirmed on Saturday night that Christian Wilhelmsson is on trial with the club and that they are considering adding the Swedish winger to their roster.
Manager Bruce Arena issued a statement following LA's 2-0 victory over Vancouver about Wilhelmsson, who trained with the Galaxy on Friday morning.
“Christian is a player we are interested in and we have in training with us right now,” Arena said. “Should an official arrangement be reached, we will make an appropriate announcement at that time.”
Highlights: LA 2, Vancouver 0
Arena on Friday refused to confirm that Wilhelmsson, 32, was in camp, claiming that the Swede was a “Joe Butler” who plays with the Virginia Beach Mariners, a former USL club that has been defunct for five years.
Swedish daily Aftonbladet reported Thursday that the veteran, a free agent after his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal expired last spring, was in Los Angeles to finalize a deal. His agent, Fabio Alho, was quoted in the newspaper that the Galaxy had made an offer and that interest also exists in Russia and the Middle East.
Wilhelmsson is a Swedish national team veteran who played in the 2006 World Cup and featured in all three matches for Sweden at the recently concluded European Championship.
He has played for AS Roma, Bolton and Deportivo La Coruña in loan deals from French club Nantes and spent three seasons with Belgian power Anderlecht. Wilhelmsson has been with Al-Hilal since 2008, but spent last fall on loan at Al Ahli in Qatar.
