Vanney Rejects European Overtures to Stay in MLS

Galaxy defender Greg Vanney has rejected contract offers from European clubs and instead will sign a multiyear deal with Major League Soccer.

Agreement was reached late last week and the final touches were being put to the contract Monday. Vanney, 26, is one of four players who have been with the Galaxy since its formation in 1996.

Getting Vanney to stay with the Galaxy had been a priority of Coach Sigi Schmid.

“I think it’s tremendous that Greg Vanney’s going to be in MLS,” he said. “ . . . I think he showed this weekend [in the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament that the Galaxy won], that he’s a quality defender and he’s a defender that [U.S. national team Coach] Bruce Arena has maybe got to give a little more responsibility to. But Bruce does a good job and I’m sure he’ll make those decisions.”

Arena does make those decisions, and on Monday he included Vanney among the 23 players he called for Saturday’s game against China in Oakland.

Three other Galaxy players were picked: forward Cobi Jones, who is expected to sign a new MLS contract this week; goalkeeper Kevin Hartman; and midfielder Pete Vagenas.

The U.S. also will play Colombia at Miami on Feb. 3 before starting the final round of World Cup qualifying Feb. 28 against Mexico at Columbus, Ohio.