The LA Galaxy’s hopes of retaining the Supporters’ Shield have taken a big hit as Edson Buddle has signed for Bundesliga second division team Ingolstadt.
Buddle scored a career-high 17 goals last season, but with signing of former New York Red Bulls Designated Player Juan Pablo Angel over the winter, the writing was on the wall that Buddle, a free-agent would be playing somewhere else in 2011.
On a statement on the Galaxy web site Buddle said:
“While I have decided to leave the Galaxy, I do so with fond memories of my four years with the club. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Los Angeles and will miss my teammates, coaches, staff and everyone who works for the club as they helped make me the player that I am today. I also want to thanks all of the great Galaxy fans who have supported me ever since I arrived at the club and I am hopeful that one day I will be able to return to the Galaxy and help lead them to an MLS Cup championship.”
It was only a month ago that Bruce Arena told ExtraTime Radio that:
“We would anticipate Edson signing a new deal, and I would have no problem playing [Buddle and Ángel] together. We expect to sign Edson to a new contract.”
A partnership of Buddle and Angel, would have been the best in MLS, but
Arena declined comment on Buddle’s new deal Monday while attending the MLS Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Buddle will hope to debut for his new club when they resume the season with a Jan. 16 visit to league leaders Augsburg. Ingolstadt is currently in 17th place in the league, and have struck for more than one goal just once in the last 12 league outings.
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