The Galaxy’s fading hopes of making the MLS playoffs grew dimmer Friday when the team sold captain Jelle Van Damme to Royal Antwerp in Belgium’s top domestic league.
Van Damme, 33, a two-time MLS all-star, recently separated from his wife, former tennis professional Elke Clijsters, and told the Galaxy he wanted to go home to be with his two young children.
The Galaxy will receive $235,000 from Antwerp in exchange for Van Damme, who appeared in 46 MLS games over two seasons. That money could help the team finalize a contract with French center back Michael Ciani, a free agent who has been in talks with the Galaxy for nearly a month.