Galaxy sign T&T midfielder Chris Birchall

[anto7]

July 09, 3:52 pm

Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy agreed to terms with Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Chris Birchall, the Major League Soccer club announced.

The 25-year-old received his P1 Visa on Monday and will officially be added to the club's roster upon the receipt of his International Transfer Clearance, which cannot happen until the transfer window re-opens on July 15.

"Chris is a player that I've tracked for a number of years," Galaxy GM and coach Bruce Arena said. "He is an experienced midfielder with good qualities on both sides of the ball who I feel he will be able to contribute immediately as we push for a playoff position."

Birchall has spent his entire club career in England with the exception of a short loan stint in Scotland during the 2007-08 campaign. Birchall also has appeared 32 times for Trinidad and Tobago, scoring four times.

[zeelaw]

lol this is a white guy born in England who plays for T&T right?

[Ladies Love Julius James]

His mother is Trini. His goal got us to the world cup in 06. Great addition.

[C.Ronaldo]

great player

lots of effort

[anto7]

lol this is a white guy born in England who plays for T&T right?

That would be the guy. Seem to recall that TFC was looking at hima while back but not 100% sure about that.

[rocker]

it'll be interesting to see what a guy from such a low division earns in MLS.

[Yohan]

it'll be interesting to see what a guy from such a low division earns in MLS.

Birchall recently played for Coventry (Championship) and Brighton (league one)

so i'm going to guess around 100k

[rocker]

ya 100K sounds about right.

of course if TFC signed this guy there'd be outrage! "too low division!" "same old kind of English player Mo goes for!"

[[NBF]]

It seems like Mo can only get League 1 Reserves to come to TFC. Its too bad that Mo cant get any hard body types with some skill to come to TFC to play defense or a defensive midfielder role or centre midfielder. I think DeRo is pretty tough and so is Guevara but they lack a certain amoutn of balance at times.

[Merlin]

I'm pretty sure Birchall was at Rotherham... not 100% on that though.

None the less this is an awesome signing for the Gals. This is one player that's full of heart.

[Merlin]

nevermind! He didn't play for Rotherham.

But either way, great signing.

[jloome]

Full of heart, but not a great player. Kind of an offensively oriented version of Poz.