Player Details

Name

Giovani dos Santos

Height

5' 9"

Weight

157 lbs

Date of Birth

5.11.1989 (35)

Birthplace

Monterrey, Mexico

Position

Midfielder

Position Detail

Attacking Midfielder

Preferred Side

Left/Centre/Right

Footedness

Left
Career Summary

Contract bought out on March 1, 2019.

Dos Santos joined the Galaxy in 2015 after experiences in Spain and England. He is a crafty attacking player known for his technique, playmaking abilities and quickness, and can play anywhere across the attacking line. A healthy dos Santos be a crucial piece as the Galaxy look to return to the MLS Cup playoffs in 2019.

INTERNATIONAL: While his club career has not always been smooth sailing, Dos Santos has excelled on the international stage for Mexico. Perhaps his most memorable moment came in the 2011 Gold Cup final against the United States, when he bewitched the US defense with a mazy run before curling the ball into the far corner, spurring Mexico on to a win. He has scored 19 goals in 104 appearances for El Tri and won three Gold Cup titles (2009, 2011, 2015), an Olympic gold medal (2012) an Under-17 World Cup (2005).

OUTSIDE MLS: Dos Santos enjoyed an up-and-down career in Europe before joining the Galaxy. He struggled to establish himself in Barcelona's first team after coming up through the academy and was sold to Tottenham after one senior season (2007-2008) with the Blaugrana. He had a similarly tough time at Spurs, making just 33 appearances in all competitions and being loaned out three times in his four-year spell at the club. He finally found some purchase in Spain, enjoying strong stints with Mallorca and Villarreal, before moving to LA. Dos Santos comes from a soccer family. His father, Brazilian player Zizinho, starred in Mexico during the 1980s and his brother, Jonathan, is a professional player and has been Giovani's teammate with Barcelona, Villarreal and Mexico. His elder half-brother, Eder dos Santos, was on the books at Club América but never played for the first team.

NOTES: MLS All-Star 2016 and 2017.