Sports News of Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Boateng extends contract with MLS side LA Galaxy

Emmanuel Boateng Emmanuel Boateng

American top-flight side LA Galaxy have extended the contract of their Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Boateng on Tuesday.

The terms of the news contract was not revealed by the Major League Soccer (MLS) side.

The 24-year-old, who trained with the Right to Dream Academy before moving to America, joined the Galaxy ahead of the 2016 MLS season.

He made 87 appearances in three seasons with the club, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists which prompted the decision to extend the contract.

“We are excited that Ema will be returning to LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese.

“Ema is a talented young player who brings excitement and depth to our roster.

"We look forward to his continued development as a player and future contributions to our team.”

During the 2018 MLS regular season, Boateng recorded two goals and five assists in 27 appearances, including game-winning assists against the San Jose Earthquakes and the Montreal Impact.

Boateng signed with the LA Galaxy in January 2016 ahead of the team’s 2016 MLS Regular Season. In three seasons with the Galaxy, he’s recorded 87 appearances, making 58 starts, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists.

Born in Accra, Ghana, Boateng joined an African soccer development program, the Right to Dream Academy, and went on to earn a scholarship at the age of 15 to Cate School, a boarding school in Carpinteria, Calif.

While at Cate School, Boateng won honours as the 2012 Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year, given to the top high school player in the United States.

Boateng skipped his senior year at Cate School to attend University of California, Santa Barbara. That year, he earned honours as Big West’s Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big West.

He signed his first professional contract with Helsingborgs IF of Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top-flight professional division.

Boateng and the LA Galaxy will begin with the 2019 Home Opener, when the Galaxy host Chicago Fire on Saturday, March 2.