U.S. U-18 Villarreal signs with Galaxy

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Dec 22, 2011

[MLS TRANSACTIONS] The Los Angeles Galaxy signed 18-year-old midfielder Jose Villarreal, one of the most promising players in the Development Academy. He helped Pateadores win the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-17/18 championship in July, scoring 20 goals in 31 games.

“Jose is a player that we have known and watched for a long time and it’s been great to have him in our Academy this past year,” Galaxy Academy senior director Chris Klein said. “He has a tremendous amount of promise and potential and we’re excited that he’ll be able to continue his development with the first team.”

Following Finals Week, Villarreal was called up to the U.S. U-18 national team, starting all three games in the Milk Cup. He was also a part of the U.S. U-23 camp that was held in Germany and spent time training at Borussia Dortmund II, coached by former U.S. international David Wagner.

“It’s been my dream ever since I was little to be a professional soccer player," said Villarreal, who attended Leuzinger High School in Inglewood, "so to be able to do that and stay close to home so that I can play in front of my family and friends is a dream come true."