Thu Aug 21 19:00:21 2008

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L.A. clears salary cap space then adds U.S. midfielder Lewis

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Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy signed U.S. national team midfielder Eddie Lewis, the team announced on Thursday. To make room for Lewis on the club's 18-man senior roster, the Galaxy traded forward Carlos Ruiz to Toronto FC in exchange for first and second-round picks in the 2009 MLS Supplemental Draft and salary budget considerations.

"I strongly believe that Eddie Lewis will be an outstanding addition to the Galaxy," Los Angeles General Manager and coach Bruce Arena said. "He brings great experience to the club and will be a wonderful addition to our locker room and is a player that the fans are sure to support. I have known Eddie for a number of years, I rate him as a first class player and person and I'm honored to welcome him to the Galaxy family.

"Unfortunately, the sport of soccer is also a business and in order to bring Eddie to the Galaxy we were required to make salary budget space available and our only available option was to move [Ruiz]," Arena added. "Carlos is proven to be one of the great goal-scorers in the history of this league and I have the highest regard for him. We wish him the very best in the future."

The Galaxy held the top spot in the Major League Soccer Allocation Table and used that position to acquire Lewis, a Cerritos, Calif. native who played for the U.S. national team in their 1-0 road win over Guatemala Wednesday night in a World Cup Qualifier. He was injured by an elbow to the head in the second half of that match, making his status on the field for the Galaxy questionable at the moment.

A veteran left-sided player with both MLS and European playing experience, Lewis comes to the Galaxy following a one-year stay with Derby County of the English Premier League. Prior to joining Derby, the 34-year old had stints with fellow English sides, Fulham, Preston North End and Leeds United, as well as a four-year stay with San Jose of MLS, with which he began his professional career in 1996.