Manager spills details
Reus initiated his US move himself
Marco Reus has no future in Dortmund, so he has to move in order to continue playing football. His path takes him and his family to the USA. He reported to the Los Angeles Galaxy without further ado, reports general manager Will Kuntz.
The transfer of Marco Reus to Los Angeles Galaxy came about on the initiative of the former Dortmund player. “I got a call from his team when I happened to be on a rooftop terrace in Cologne asking whether I would be interested in signing Marco for the Galaxy,” reported general manager Will Kuntz at Reus’s presentation in Los Angeles. Reus and Borussia Dortmund did not extend the twelve-year contract that expired at the end of last season. The two-time footballer of the year in Germany signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“When I decided not to continue playing for Dortmund, I thought about what I could do. It was clear that I wanted to continue playing football,” said Reus. “My decision was not to continue playing in Germany or Europe. The first contact with Galaxy was in May,” said the 35-year-old soccer professional. “I had a chance to do something different a few times, but I always stayed. This was the last chance to get to know a new culture in a new environment.”
However, the transfer to Major League Soccer was not easy. Charlotte FC held the rights to move to the USA and had to be financially compensated. “They said we'll get what we want or Marco won't get into the MLS. These rules exist for a good reason, but it's frustrating at a time like this,” said Kuntz. “But usually you have to convince a player to come and we are very happy that he wanted to and got in touch with us.”
Reus' role in the current Western Conference leaders is not yet clearly defined. This should happen in discussions with coach Greg Vanney before the possible debut against Atlanta United on August 24th. “He is very versatile and we want to involve him in different areas of the game. That could be in midfield or further forward. His quality speaks for itself and he will help our team,” said Vanney. After years with the number 11, Reus will wear the number 18 shirt for the Los Angeles Galaxy – the number with which he began his professional career at Rot Weiss Ahlen.
