Jones, MLS Finally Agree to Contract

The drawn-out saga of Cobi Jones’ return to the Galaxy finally reached its expected conclusion Friday night when the U.S. national team winger signed a new contract with Major League Soccer.

Terms were not revealed, but Jones said the deal was for three years. It is believed it will make him the highest-paid American player in MLS.

“It’s good to move on and move forward,” said Jones, one of only four original Galaxy players with Mauricio Cienfuegos, Robin Fraser and Greg Vanney.

Jones flew to Florida on Friday night to rejoin the squad at its spring training base in Fort Lauderdale.

The contract negotiations between MLS and Jones’ agent, Cory Clemetson, appeared to be dragging on interminably, but Jones said it was “just a lot of issues and minor details that needed to be sorted out.”

Included in those details was a no-trade clause that guarantees that Jones, 30, will be with the Galaxy for the next three seasons.

In addition, there is a provision that allows him to play for a foreign club in the MLS off-season should he and the league agree on a deal that is amenable to all parties.

“It would have to be a situation that was worth my while,” Jones said, adding that he is satisfied with the pact.

“I signed it, so obviously I’m happy with it,” he said. “It’s a contract that took a lot of time to work through. I think I got what I wanted.”

Jones first five-year contract expired Jan. 1 and he had expressed a strong desire to play in Europe. He flew to England and had discussions with Ipswich Town of the English Premier League but eventually decided to remain in MLS.

“I wouldn’t have gone over there if I wasn’t serious about it,” Jones said. “It was a situation where I had to weigh my options and [decide] what I wanted to do. I preferred to stay here.”

The fact that the Galaxy will be playing in the second FIFA World Club Championship in Spain this summer and that the national team is involved in World Cup qualifying played a role in Jones’ decision.

“Bruce [Arena, the U.S. coach] was very up front,” Jones said. “He was behind my decision 100%.”