After a trial with the LA Galaxy on their Europe Tour, the LA Galaxy announced last Friday that the club has signed midfielder Mika Vayrynen. The Finnish international will add much needed experience to a midfield which is lacking depth. Pending paperwork, he could be playing with the team in Portland this weekend.
“I feel great. This is a great opportunity for me to come here. I had wanted to come to MLS for a few years now, and when I heard about this chance, I jumped at it,” Vayrynen recently told LAGalaxy.com. “I’m really looking forward this opportunity. I want to bring experience, and hopefully I can help the team in the coming games.”
“I had wanted to come to MLS for a few years now, and when I heard about this chance, I jumped at it.”
—Mika Vayrynen
Mika Vayrynen appeared for the Galaxy in both of its Euro tour friendly matches against Hammarby and Shamrock Rovers, in which he scored against the Rovers on an outside the box strike. In both games with the Galaxy, Mika showed his calm and collectiveness with the ball and had helped the attack on numerous occasions.
Vayrynen has the potential of being another LA Galaxy dead spot specialist as he has a wicked right foot. This can prove deadly for the Galaxy as they had trouble on set pieces last season. Look to see Mika in an attacking midfield role with his playmaking abilities providing service for the attacking tandem of Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes. There is also a possibility that Bruce plays him out right and moves Stefan Ishizaki into the center as he fiddled around during the Euro Tour.
“He’s a very smart player and very experienced,” said midfielder Stefan Ishizaki told LA Galaxy insider Adam Serrano “He has good vision and good technique too. He’s a very good player who will help us.”
Mika is a seasoned veteran, who has played on 7 different clubs during his tenure in Europe. He is a proven winner as well as he has won 2 championships in the Netherlands while playing for Dutch juggernaut PSV, as well as 1 KNVB Cup during his time SC Heerenveen. Besides winning the Dutch Championship and the KNVB Cup, he was a 3 time winner of the Veikkausliiga Championship in Finland and a 1 time winner of the Finnish Cup.
“He’s a stylish player. He’s technical and I think that he’ll fit in really well.”
—Baggio Hasidic, to LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano
Mika has also appeared for the Finland National team and has 62 Caps with 5 goals. He is a key part of the Finland midfield. He made his debut for Finland back in 2002 against South Korea. On the current squad for the Finish National Football Team, he is the highest cap tenured player. Finland have 6 matches left in their Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign, and are currently in 4th place of Group F of qualifying for Euro Cup 2016. Mika will be flying back and forth to appear in the remaining national team matches for the Finland National team.
“Mika is a player that brings additional experience to our midfield,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We saw his abilities during preseason and are confident he can contribute to our team this season. We are happy he will be a part of our group going forward.”
Here are some video highlights of new LA Galaxy midfielder Mika Vayrynen during his tenure in Europe.