Galaxy adds veteran Klein at the expense of youth
The Galaxy continued its string of roster moves late Wednesday, trading rookie forward Robbie Findley and versatile second-year midfielder Nathan Sturgis to Real Salt Lake for veteran midfielder Chris Klein.
The teams finalized the deal after the Galaxy announced the signing of Honduran striker Carlos Pavon. That deal gave the squad an abundance of forwards and the room to trade Findley, 21, for a more experienced player.
Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop said Salt Lake would not have agreed to the deal without the Galaxy including Sturgis. “It’s not easy losing two young players. I like both guys, but at this point you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” said Yallop, referring to the team’s fifth-place standing in the Western Conference.
Last week, the Galaxy added Portuguese defender Abel Xavier on a free transfer and traded defender Tyrone Marshall to Toronto FC for striker Edson Buddle.
Klein left Salt Lake on Wednesday night and trained with the Galaxy on Thursday morning. “You can’t get here soon enough ... and let the guys know you’re excited to be here and that you want to be a part of what we’re all building,” Klein said.
Yallop said Klein, along with playing midfield, could play at right fullback, a position the Galaxy have had trouble filling since Chris Albright tore his right hamstring on May 20. Albright is expected to miss most -- if not all -- of the rest of the regular season.
The Galaxy also announced that it had waived defender/midfielder Ian Russell, who appeared in three games this season.
