The LA Galaxy just may be ahead of the curve once again.
Defending MLS Cup champions, the organization was also the first in MLS to establish its own USL team, and ahead of that team's second season, they've also signed a unique contract with a rookie.
Midfielder Ryo Fujii, an academy product who played collegiately for UC Santa Barbara last fall, signed a professional contract with LA Galaxy II in February that included financial assistance specifically to allow Fujii to continue his college education at Cal State University Dominguez Hills, which is directly adjacent to StubHub Center.
An article by Adam Serrano on the Galaxy's website this week discusses the decision-making process of Fujii's deal for player and organization alike, as the youngster looks to continue his education on and off the field.
“I just bring my backpack to practice, shower after training, and head to class," Fujii says in the article. "This is one of the big reasons that I chose this path because the Galaxy wanted me not only to have a chance to face better competition, but also saw the positive in me finishing school. It was a win-win situation.”
“This is the best of both worlds. Players are in a real professional environment and they can also further their education,” technical director Jovan Kirovski said. “Overall, we want intelligence. We want players who are intelligent on the field as well as off of the field. We’re providing something that is different than what they offer in Europe or anywhere else because of the importance that we place on education in this country, and this offers players that [educational] opportunity if their professional career doesn’t work out.”
- Get more Galaxy, Galaxy II news at LAGalaxy.com
Serrano notes that while the arrangement will be offered on a "case-by-case basis," Fujii will be joined by fellow Galaxy II signing Eric Lopez, a goalkeeper currently in the U.S. Soccer Under-17 residency program.
You can read more about the pioneer program, and the organization's approach, here.
