On Thursday night, the LA Galaxy announced the signing of experienced defender Frankie Hejduk on a one-year deal.

The Galaxy landed the 36 year-old Hejduk, who participated in two World Cup tournaments ['98, '02], in a trade with Kansas City.

The veteran defender has been with the Columbus Crew for the last eight seasons, and has served as team captain for the past five years.  Hejduk has tallied 12 goals, 25 assists, and an MLS Cup during his time in Ohio.

Hejduk, who is originally from Southern California also competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

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The deal locking in Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as Celtic’s newest player has been completed, with a SPL debut as early as Sunday against Rangers.

Ljungberg has bounced around from team to team as of late.  The Swedish international has made 75 appearances for his country, and had successful stints in the Premier League with both Arsenal and West Ham before coming to Major League Soccer.

Since arriving in MLS, Ljungberg spent the majority of his time with the Seattle Sounders, followed by part of a season with the Chicago Fire.

Ljungberg has already been training with the club this week and was seen in the stands for Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Motherwell at Celtic Park.  That win by Celtic put the club back on top of the SPL table.

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De Rosario will be going on trial with the Scottish giants, and this could be a massive boost to the Toronto FC player after it was revealed that one of the best players in MLS right now is not even his clubs top earner, not even 2nd top earner.

The skillful attacker has gone about his business for a good while, but showed some frustration after scoring towards the back end of last season by pretending to sign an imaginary cheque.

We’ve always been of the opinion that De Rosario should have been playing in Europe a long time ago, and if he can impress Lennon, then not only will he be a cheaper option, but he will provide real class in the final third.

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Colorado Rapids hit-man Omar Cummings is set to head to England to train with the Premier League’s Aston Villa.

“Aston Villa contacted us a few weeks ago with interest to see Omar up close,” Rapids Managing Director, Jeff Plush, told ColoradoRapids.com. “After discussing the opportunity with Omar, we felt it would be a good chance for him to get a leg up on preseason training and at the same time get the experience of training with a Premier League club.”

Initially, Cummings will be training with Aston Villa, however, discussions that have occurred suggest it being likely that the Jamaican international stay and play on loan.

“Omar is a Colorado Rapids player,” said Plush. “We explained to Aston Villa that we would be open to discussing a loan agreement for Omar until our season starts on March 19 if it benefitted Omar and the Colorado Rapids.”

The 2010 MLS Cup champs will kick-off next season on March 19 against the Portland Timbers at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Cummings led the Rapids with 14 goals during the 2010 season, and helped bring their first MLS Cup back to Denver.

A number of other clubs, including Necaxa from Mexico, have also shown interest in landing Cummings.  However, at this time, no agreements with any club have been reached.

“It would take Aston Villa or any club making a significant offer for us to even consider transferring Omar,” added Plush.

Prior to Cummings’ departure for Jamaica in December during the MLS off-season, the 28 year-old striker spoke with his club about his future.

“I’m happy here,” Cummings said of Colorado. “Everyone knows that I’m happy and very comfortable being in Colorado. But if the opportunities are there to make a move, I’m also open to that.”

“If the Rapids feel that it’s a good opportunity for the club and for me to move on, I understand that. At the same time, as a player, you don’t want to feel held back from taking that opportunity even if it’s just to see.”

In the past, the Colorado Rapids have signed a number of players prior to the end of their contracts.  With two years left on Cummings’ contract, it is likely to see the Rapids try and further his stay in Denver.

“I’m here. You always want to explore, but I consider Denver home now,” Cummings said about his MLS Cup-winning club.

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“He is a great player and a good friend.”

The Serie A leaders jetted out to their winter training camp in Dubaion Monday without their Brazilian playmaker.

They claim the former World Player of the Year has been given permission to join up late and will fly out in the next few days.

Roberto De Assis, Ronaldinho’s agent said, “I will meet with Milan’s Adriano Galliani in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and see if they can thrash out a deal.”

If this does go through it will end months of speculation about him going to the MLS and in particular the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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His current deal runs through the summer of 2012, and at 31 years old he’d still be offering a lot to the league.

Claude Anelka told told MLS News.fr., “Nicolas told me he is interested in playing in the United States, we could see him crossing the Atlantic, and I’m serious when I say this. He asked himself what he will do once his current contract runs out.

“The US is quite something, and a dream destination. He says he will give it a try, even though he would earn less money than in somewhere like Qatar.”

This would be another good move for MLS, it’s becoming a more and more mouth watering prospect for top footballing stars.

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AC Milan hit-man Zlatan Ibrahmiovic has revealed that he would like to end his career playing in Major League Soccer.

“I want to play one or two years in a nice place, and then retire,” Ibrahimovic told Voetbal International. “As I see it now, this is my last contract with a European club. When I’m done in Milan I will play a year or two in the United States.

The Sweden international has squashed any ideas of coaching in his future.  However, many players in the past have changed their minds.

“Not as I feel at this moment, but at the same time many players have said the same thing,” he said. “Football will always appeal to me, but there are many other things that attract me as well.”

MLS additions consisting of David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Rafael Marquez have helped add legitimacy to the league.  Ibra’s contract ends in 2014, which may very well be the time Americans will see the Swedish hit-man make his was to the States.

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But Bruce admitted in a rather tongue firmly in cheek manner, ”I did try when he went to Milan.

“Milan or Sunderland or Birmingham or Wigan?

“He just said ‘thanks Brucie, I’m going to Milan’!

“I understand that. Milan and Prada or Sunderland and Primark?!”

While we’d love to see him back in the EPL, we think, again that at this stage of his career that he doesn’t need to do it and we are also of the opinion that the LA Galaxy faithful and coaching staff deserve a fully fit Beckham and a full season out of him.

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After leaving West Ham United he joined up with MLS new boys Seattle Sounders and was a hit with the fans, however a falling out with the coaching towards the start of this last season saw him move to the Chicago Fire.

His desire to leave the states though was confirmed when he wasn’t re-signed by the Fire, by his own request. Celtic boss, Neil Lennon confirmed that the former Swedish international was flying in for talks about a possible deal.

Lennon said, ”Ljungberg is coming in tonight. It is not a trial or anything like that. It’s so that we can have a look at him and he can look at us.

“We were contacted three or four weeks ago. I don’t think he is over the hill. I think he is 34 but he has always kept himself in good condition.

“He had a horrendous time with injuries at West Ham but in the last 18 months he has played a lot of games in America.

“You don’t lose the quality, he might be missing an edge but we will see how he is.

“He has been a quality player for a long time, he is vastly experienced and again, it’s just an opportunity that might be there for us.

“Johan Mjallby helped. Ljungberg’s agency contacted us and Johan had a chat with him.

“He is keen to come and he wants to play in Europe again.

“He is a big name but that doesn’t concern me as such, it is the quality he can bring to the club and if it is there we will pursue it.”

We here at SJ feel that Ljungberg still has a lot to offer and could give Celtic a timely boost, what with the fact the Hoops will be losing Asian Cup-enforced departures of South Korea duo Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-yueng.

It could also give a shot in the arm to Scottish football in general.

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LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan has squashed any rumors of him heading overseas on loan during the Major League Soccer offseason.

Last season, the USA international made 10 Premier League appearances with Everton, where he netted two goals and was named Everton Player of the Month.

“While I enjoyed my time at Everton last season and still appreciate all the support their fans have given me, I feel that it is important to continue to rest and recover this off-season as opposed to going on loan,” Donovan said.

“I never considered being loaned to a club other than Everton, but I have been playing nearly non-stop for the past two years and I believe that this decision will allow me to perform at my best for the Galaxy and the National Team throughout the upcoming year.”

Galaxy manager Bruce Arena added: “We think in the best interest of the club and the player that Landon continues his post-season break and begins preparations for what will be a challenging year in 2011 at both the domestic and international levels.

“We expect Landon to join our club for the start of pre-season training next month as we begin to prepare for the 2011 MLS season.”

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