When the LA Galaxy made moves for left back Emiliano Insua and Danilo Acosta at the start of this year, Norwegian left back Jorgen Skjelvik's days with the club were numbered and the former starter was transferred on a one-year loan to Denmark's Odense Boldklub just before the close of the January transfer window in Europe.
The 28-year-old Skjelvik arrived in December 2017 on a free transfer after a career in Norway and Sweden, including international appearances with Norway's national team in 2018 World Cup Qualifying. After playing in 32 of 34 regular season matches in his first MLS season, he featured in only 20 matches for the Galaxy in 2019.
“We think this deal will benefit everyone involved,” LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese said in a club statement. “We wish Jorgen the best of luck in Denmark.”
While generally proving a steady player for the Galaxy in his two years, Skjelvik didn't regularly stand out as the club struggled defensively. He featured at center back on occasion and he registered a total of four assists with his lone MLS goal coming on a nifty run and strike in a 4-3 loss in Seattle in September 2019:
The Galaxy enter 2020 knowing they need a dramatic improvement in team defense after conceding 59 goals in 34 regular season matches – the 18th most goals allowed among 24 MLS clubs in 2019. Skjelvik's move could open up some budget flexibility to add new faces: Based on figures released by the MLS Players Association, Skjelvik earned a base salary of just under $1 million.
Insua and Acosta have been the Galaxy's only defensive reinforcements to date with the headlines captured by their attacking additions of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Serbian international Aleksandar Katai and former USMNT player Sacha Kljestan.
