Stefan Ishizaki

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed on Jan. 30, 2014

Ishizaki, 32-year old former Swedish international, signed with the LA Galaxy on January 30, 2014 from Elsborg in Sweden. Ishizaki capped 183 times and scored 48 goals for his former club, Elfsborg, in Sweden’s Allsvenskan (First Division). During his eight-year spell at Elfsborg, he helped the club raise the championship trophy twice (2006, 2012).

MLS Highlights

2014: Ishizaki became a major weapon in his first year with the Galaxy, scoring five goals and adding seven assists, three of which were game winners. In total, he made 30 appearances and 22 starts during the MLS Regular Season en route to being named a Finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year. In the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, Ishizaki played in four matches an added an assist as the Galaxy captured their fifth MLS Cup title.

Professional Highlights

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Ishizaki’s professional career began with AIK at the age 16, winning the Svenska Cupen in his first season with the club. Since making his Allsvenskan debut in 2000, Ishizaki appeared 103 times for AIK and collected 17 goals in total for the club.

After a brief loan spell with Genoa in Italian Serie B during the 2003/04 season, Ishizaki returned to his home club for the 2004 season.

In 2005, Ishizaki moved to play for Valerenga in Tippeligaen (Premier League), where he scored twice in 15 caps, winning the league champion at his first and only season with the Norwegian side. Ishizaki moved back to his home country playing for Elfsborg in Sweden until his move to the Galaxy.

International Highlights

Ishizaki capped his international debut in January 2001 at the age of 18, starting for Sweden against Faroe Islands for the 2000-01 Nordic Football Championship.Since then, Ishizaki has made additional 12 appearances for the Swedish national team--the latest being Sweden’s 2-0 victory against Bahrain on January 18th, 2012 at an international friendly.